A clinic that helps hundreds on the peninsula without a family doctor who struggle with mental health and addictions is facing possible closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately Island Health has told us our contract won\u2019t be extended past March,\u201d said Dr. Michal Pawlik, co-lead of Saanich Peninsula Outreach Team (SPOT). <\/p>\n
SPOT offers care to roughly 700 of the peninsula\u2019s most marginalized and vulnerable, who suffer from a wide range of multiple chronic health issues.<\/p>\n
Watch the video below:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have mental health issues, addiction, unhoused or risk of being unhoused and there are the four First Nations on the Peninsula,\u201d said Pawlik describing who they serve.<\/p>\n
SPOT\u2019s patients are considered by the health care system as \u2018complex\u2019. Patients that are too onerous for other physicians in the region to take on.<\/p>\n
Without the clinic, Pawlik says both its patients, and the overall healthcare system would suffer. It would mean more overdoses, suicide attempts, brain damage, visits to expensive brain clinics and would mean more strain on the already overburdened emergency rooms, said Pawlik.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will cause more waits at the ER. Right now, they\u2019re already having shortages, and very long waits at Emergency,\u201d said Pawlik, gesturing to Saanich Peninsula Hospital. \u201cIf you have complex patients, not having a primary care provider, they\u2019re going to be more frequently using the ER resulting in longer waits at the hospital,\u201d said Pawlik.<\/p>\n
That additional suffering will cost the healthcare system and thereby taxpayers more, said Pawlik.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to continue. In my view this is the ideal location because it\u2019s right beside the hospital,\u201d said Pawlik. \u201cTransportation is an issue with many of these patients. Right now if there\u2019s blood work needed, the hospital is right there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Island Health says its a space issue. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis space at the health unit is needed to support future primary care expansion,\u201d the health authority said in a statement.<\/p>\n
That answer is frustrating for Pawlik.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see systemic discrimination,\u201d said Pawlik. \u201cIt\u2019s a lack of prioritization for mental health and addiction, for patients who don\u2019t pay taxes to put it bluntly.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the likelihood SPOT is forced to change locations, Pawlik says the non-profit needs funds to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re asking the ministry to give us the APP contract which would give us some overhead money where we could move to another location,\u201d said Pawlik.<\/p>\n