New Beaverton clinic hosting a community open house on November 12th

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

BROCK: Good Doctors Telemedicine is slated to open soon, in Beaverton, and an open house event is upcoming, to provide additional details about the project.

The event, in partnership between the Region of Durham, the Township of Brock and Good Doctors, invites community members to learn about services, soon to be available to residents, details on appointment booking, and other essential information. The Open House will take place on Tuesday, November 12th, at 7 p.m., in the Auditorium of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Community Centre, located at 176 Main Street, in Beaverton.

In response to the growing healthcare crisis, Durham Region and Brock Township have collaborated, to bring Good Doctors telemedicine services to Beaverton. The new clinic will operate out of Lakeview Manor, at 133 Main Street, with a planned opening before the end of 2024. With services available three days a week by appointment, the clinic aims to address the shortage of family doctors in the area, by offering accessible healthcare to residents without primary care providers.

“We’re working hard to address the doctor shortage, and this clinic will fill a huge void for Brock Township residents who don’t have a family doctor,” said Regional Councillor Mike Jubb. “The shortage is a critical issue across Ontario and this clinic will provide much-needed healthcare access.”

The clinic, staffed by registered and registered practical nurses, will use a separate entrance and occupy an existing medical office within Lakeview Manor, to maintain patient privacy and convenience. Patients will consult with licensed Ontario physicians via video, with nurses assisting in physical assessments, as required. Services covered by OHIP include: treatment for common ailments, chronic disease management, minor procedures, and prescription renewals.

This initiative arrives as family doctor shortages continue to impact rural communities across Ontario. An estimated two million residents are currently without primary care providers. Telemedicine services, like those offered by Good Doctors, have been successfully addressing healthcare needs in other communities, including Brechin and Lindsay. These clinics have operated since 2021 and 2017, respectively, serving thousands of patients.

Residents are encouraged to attend the Open House to learn more about how Good Doctors can support their healthcare needs and to gain insight into how the program will operate in Beaverton.