The Family Health Team is applying for funding for a new 12,000 square foot medical office complex from the Ministry of Health’s Capital Branch, which finances new buildings and renovations for health care providers.

Council has approved a parcel of land, now a parking pad, for the site at the northeast corner of the Fairgrounds, very close to the new Memorial Hospital. It is flanked by the Cattle Pavilion and the Hub Family and Child Care Centre.

Programs Director Julianne Snepts noted the excellent land offered for the build will strengthen the Health Team’s application. Mayor Steve Ferguson and CAO Marcia Wallace will also send letters of support.

There is no limit to the funding amounts that can be asked for. Capital Branch could conceivably cover all costs from design to construction.

The Family Health Team will lease the land from the municipality, and handle the design, funding, construction, and operation of the new complex. 

The proposal was developed in consultation with the Primary Care Infrastructure Working Group (PCIWG). It said the location checked a number of important boxes for the future of health services delivery in Prince Edward County.

“We’ve beat the bushes to source the optimal parcel of land that’s close to the new hospital and we’ve got good consensus amongst the Family Health Team,” Working Group member and Councillor Brad Nieman said. “This will be a great partnership.” 

Location, Location

Mere steps from the new hospital, the specialized medical building will allow for closer collaboration among family doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, dieticians and administrative staff. Family doctors practicing in Picton also staff the hospital emergency department and provide care for admitted patients.

New offices for the Family Health Team will help ongoing recruitment and retention efforts, according to Adam Hambly, the County’s family physician recruiter.

Of the 23 primary care physician spaces in Prince Edward County, 16 are filled. One hitch is a lack of central clinical spaces for new doctors to establish practices. That’s a barrier to attracting talent.

“The lack of medical office space and temporary housing for new primary care providers are a barrier to recruitment in Prince Edward County,” said Ms. Snepts. 

“Some neighbouring municipalities like Quinte West and Marmora and Lake offer doctors turnkey spaces, including free office space in some cases. County Docs reports that potential recruits see the lack of affordable, readily available practice space in the County as a disadvantage.”

Close quarters

While the civic address of the site is 375 Main Street, access will be off McFarland Court or MacSteven Drive.

During discussion, Councillor Janice Maynard wondered about close proximity to the Hub, where drop offs and pickups of children can be chaotic. As well, a number of staff members use the gravel pad as parking.

“It’s something we’ve acknowledged at an early stage, as we are working together to develop solutions that work for everyone,” Ms. Snepts said. The Picton Fair Board also uses the lot for overflow parking on Fair weekend.