Among those at the recent opening was Clare warden Jean Melanson who said the event was making local history. Those who spearheaded the project “volunteered countless hours of their time to meet, discuss, plan, hold public meetings, consult with several doctors and visit numerous medical centres in Eastern Canada,” he said.
Health Minister Chris d’Entremont, another of the day’s speakers, referred to the new medical centre as an example of a “wonderful partnership.”
This type of facility, he said, is the kind of model he often uses when he talks about the changing nature of health care.
“We talk a lot about rural health care and rural health care means getting services close to home,” he said.
The two-storey, 14,000-square-foot structure already provides offices for four doctors and has room for two more.
Lower-floor offices are occupied by different departments or organizations, including Addiction Services, Mental Health Services and Public Health Services. There is also a cancer information display area, along with a boardroom and classroom.
Among other things, the centre will be able to accommodate a nurse practitioner, although this service has yet to be established.
The facility, which opened in the spring, is owned and operated by the Municipality of Clare. Total cost of developing the centre is nearing the $4-million mark, Warden Melanson said.
Dr. Lionel d’Entremont, the centre’s medical director, said computerized systems are being set up in the centre to help with the delivery of health care.
Like others who spoke, he congratulated the municipality’s residents for their help in making the centre a reality.
“Thank you, people of Clare, for this state-of-the-art facility,” he said. “Your children and their children will benefit and thank you for many years to come.”
New health centre a ‘wonderful partnership’
New health centre a ‘wonderful partnership’
Clare Health Centre in Meteghan Centre has now been officially opened with a weekend ceremoney in front of the new building.
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