Disease prevention, health education and chronic disease management have long been part of what\u2019s provided through the 37-physician health team, that also includes nurse educators, registered dietitians, occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals, Laidler said.<\/p>\n
But opening a dedicated space not only frees up more clinical room elsewhere, it provides a more comfortable and private space for people receiving preventative care, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clinical, but it\u2019s not,\u201d she said about the new office, calling it \u201cmore of a relaxed space\u201d for things like cancer screening, women\u2019s health, including Papanicolaou (pap) tests and menopause care, and congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder support.<\/p>\n
Seven registered nurse educators are working out of the clinic alongside one manager, she said, noting classes are also offered, and plans are to look into expanding programming for proactive health in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause now we\u2019ll have the availability and the space to do that,\u201d Laidler said.
\u201cThat\u2019s another big key. We\u2019re looking at what is it that we\u2019re missing in Sarnia that we need to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new clinic gives people another access point to the healthcare system, Laidler said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiabetes for instance, we can have a team look after you a little bit more closely,\u201d she said. In the case of something like blood sugar rising, the patient is still seeing their doctor, but has somewhere to call in the meantime if they have questions, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich is going to help the person regulate as well as keep them out of emerge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most wait times at the clinic will be a week or two, she said.<\/p>\n
The clinic received part of $175,000 in provincial funding for a local preventive care program, said Nadine Neve, executive lead with the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team.<\/p>\n
That overall program, she said, is delivered through Rapids, the North Lambton Community Health Centre, and Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic. <\/p>\n
The funding is for operations, Neve said.<\/p>\n
Many programs don\u2019t require a doctor\u2019s referral, Laidler said. Details are at rapidsfhteam.ca.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited and I think this is a great opportunity for the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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