By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kathy Borthwick knows how frustrating life can be when you don’t have a doctor.
After her physician retired, Borthwick found herself among the estimated 25,000 Chatham-Kent residents who live without a primary health-care provider.
And while she did end up getting a new physician, being without one for a time has spurred on Borthwick’s work in helping set up the new low-barrier weekend clinic in Chatham, BridgeCare.
As patient and family advisor co-chair of the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT), Borthwick brings “lived experienced” to the role, noting it’s stressful existing without access to health care.
“I can’t tell you how challenging it was trying to get the care I needed, and wanted, in an organized way,” Borthwick told The Voice, noting the clinic offers a solution for those facing a similar challenge.
“People, regardless of their background, are able to access the right care at the right time in the right place,” she said.
A ribbon cutting for the new CKOHT BridgeCare Clinic took place Aug. 15. It marked the official opening of the initiative – a collaborative effort between 22 partners and other agencies.
Since its soft launch at the beginning of July, a total of 235 people have accessed the service across 285 visits.
Jason Bartell, executive director of the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team, said the clinic, running every Saturday and Sunday, fills a void for patients who might otherwise end up in the emergency room, or receive no care at all.
“We’re seeing between 40 to 80 people on a weekend,” Bartell explained. “Otherwise, they would not have had access to care.”
Local doctors are stepping up to staff the clinic, including Dr. Briana Yee-Providence, co-chair of the CKOHT physician lead.
“We know that here in Chatham-Kent one of the greatest patient concerns is having access to primary care,” the doctor said. “BridgeCare began with a vision to bring high-quality primary care to those without a family physician or nurse practitioner.
“It allows people to be healthier and lead a healthier life,” she said.
The unique needs of C-K’s rural population have been also taken into account under the BridgeCare umbrella. A specialized mobile care van travels to various C-K communities and Walpole Island First Nation as part of its outreach.
A $1 million Ministry of Health grant is funding the BridgeCare initiative. Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones called the clinic “a shining example of what we can achieve when we work together.”
Located on the second floor of the medical building at 20 Emma St., BridgeCare accepts walk-ins operating on a first come, first served basis. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
