The relocation of the 11 Almonte family physicians with the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team (OVFHT) to a single clinic location at 95 Spring Street is underway.
Dr. Bill Blaine, Dr. Anne Oldfield and Dr. Cecil Rytwinski moved February 24.
“Our first group of physicians successfully started seeing patients at our new location on February 27,” said OVFHT Executive Director Antoinette Strazza. “They are joined by the OVFHT’s interdisciplinary health professionals: a nurse, nurse practitioner, dietitian, pharmacist, social worker and psychiatrist.”
The other physicians’ offices will move in stages, thereby ensuring a smooth transition for patients and physicians.
The Almonte General Hospital completely renovated the first floor of 95 Spring Street, which is the former Fairview Manor building, to accommodate the OVFHT, and Ms. Strazza said the space looks great.
“Having all of our providers practising together in one location will increase the level of and access to primary care services in our community,” she said. “By making this move, we are aligning ourselves with progressive primary health care models in the province.”
Ms. Strazza added that, “Services will be centralized and convenient, our health care providers will be able to collaborate and consult with each other to enhance care, and patients will have access to more health providers at one location. The new space allows our providers to offer seamless, more comprehensive care.”
The other family physicians moving are Dr. Heather Abramenko, Dr. Christiane Deschenes, Dr. Mike Dolan, Dr. Franz Ferraris, Dr. Melissa Forbes, Dr. Ursula McGarry, Dr. Graeme McKillop and Dr. Jody Murray.
“The move will in no way affect the care that patients receive,” said Ms. Strazza. “Patients will continue to have access to their own family physicians. They will also be able to benefit from chronic disease management programs and resources by being part of an FHT.”
The OVFHT has sent letters about the relocation to all patients currently enrolled with a physician who is moving. The OVFHT website at www.ovfht.ca will update the status of each physician’s move as information becomes available. Patients with appointments during the relocation period will be contacted by their physician’s office to confirm the location of the appointment.
The new telephone number for the OVFHT is 613-256-9370.