News Release

November 30, 2010

Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres (C-K CHCs) received a donation from Santa’s little helpers in Wallaceburg.

Kolton Fields, Caiden Williams, Lucas Wilbur, and Evelyn Bishop received twenty dollars from a passerby as they stood waiting for the float organizers to finish decorating for the Wallaceburg parade. The unknown passerby mentioned that the children looked so adorable he wanted to give something to them, stating he had grandchildren of his own and he did not get to see them often.  

The children decided to donate the twenty dollars to the Wallaceburg site of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres.

Crystal Myers of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres accepted the donation, advising that the dollars will be submitted to the monthly grocery store gift certificate.  Each month the team of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres donate toonies as part of “dress down Friday’s”, and the money collected is used to purchase a grocery store gift certificate.  Any client having visited the Community Health Centre that month,  has a ballot placed in the draw.

For more on the CHC model of care please visit: www.ontariochc.ca

Contact:

Kristen Williams, Executive Director, C-K CHCs
Tel: 519-437-8560
kwilliamsckchcs@cogeco.net

John Zarebski, Board President, C-K CHCs
john.zarebski@gmail.com

The Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres will be holding flu clinics at the following locations:

Chatham – 150 Richmond
Friday, October 29, 2010 – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, November 15, 2010 – 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Monday, November 29, 2010 – 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Wallaceburg – 30 McNaughton
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 – 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 – 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

For more information please call 519-397-5455

September 14, 2010

CHATHAM-KENT – Many community members gathered today to celebrate the official opening of the interim Chatham site of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres located at 150 Richmond Street in Chatham.

The Open House was attended by many health care and social service professionals along with members of the greater community.  Although the Chatham location of the Community Health Centres began providing primary health care to clients in June 2010, there is currently a great deal of service expansion underway involving partnerships with many other community organizations.

Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres Board President John Zarebski officially welcomed the community to the Centre on behalf of the Board and the Community Health Centre team.  “This is a day to celebrate the diligence and efforts put forth by many citizens of Chatham-Kent who believe in the holistic approach to care offered by Community Health Centres” stated Zarebski.

Mike Ferguson, Assistant from the Office of Pat Hoy, MPP for Chatham-Kent Essex brought greetings on behalf of Pat Hoy who was unable to attend today’s Open House event.  “I am pleased that a specific provincial government policy is working right here in Chatham-Kent, with a new Community Health Centre at the corner of Richmond and Lacroix Street,” said MPP Pat Hoy. “CHCs play a key role within primary care, with a mandate to serve disadvantaged populations and those who traditionally experience barriers to access.  This is a great addition to our community.”

On behalf of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Mayor Randy Hope officially welcomed the Board and staff of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres.  Mayor Hope said, “As a community, we are very fortunate to have local Community Health Centres offering a comprehensive approach to improving the health of individuals, families and communities.  The opening of the Chatham location is a great addition to our community as Community Health Centres serve individuals who may have specific health risks that make it difficult to access the health care they need.”

Kristen Williams, Executive Director of the Centres recognized Maple City Office Equipment for their most generous donation of several computers for client use at all locations of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres.  “Providing computer access is an important facet of assisting clients in attaining all available resources.  Recently there has been information come to us in reference to a website that assists clients in documenting their own health care.” said Wiliams.  Ed Koke of Maple City Office Equipment was on-hand to participate in the festivities. Williams also announced 30 McNaughton Avenue as the location for the new Wallaceburg CHC site that will open during October 2010.

Ralph Ganter, Senior Director of Planning and Integration for the Erie St. Clair Local health Integration Network spoke about the LHIN’s work with Community Health Centres and announced funding for the Falls Prevention and the Community-Based Rehabilitation Team through the Aging at Home Strategy in addition to the funding for the C-K CHCs. 

Quote

 “We encourage the community to visit the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centre and see first hand the exceptional primary care available their team of health professionals.  We have worked closely with the centre to support their development and are looking to the positive impact their services will have on the health of our community, especially seniors through the new Aging at Home programs.”

-Gary Switzer, Chief Executive Officer, Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network

 For more on the CHC model of care please visit:  www.ontariochc.ca

 Contact:

 Kristen Williams, Executive Director, C-K CHC’s
Tel: 519-437-8560

kwilliamsckchcs@cogeco.net

www.ckchc.ca

 John Zarebski, Board President, C-K CHC’s

John.zarebski@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

150 Richmond Street, Chatham (Located at the intersection of Richmond and Lacroix in the 7-11 plaza)

Please RSVP by September 9, 2010 to Tara Holmes at

tholmesckchcs@cogeco.net or (519) 397-5455

*Drop in for an informal tour as well as an opportunity to meet some of our team and learn about our services. Bring along your colleagues!

There will be an announcement of community interest at 3:30 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you.

We are stationed within the Walpole Island Health Centre (From Wallaceburg take Dufferin Ave. towards Walpole Island, this road will turn into Tecumseh Hwy. Follow Tecumseh Hwy. until you come to a dead end at the river then turn right on River Road. The Health Centre is located on your right hand side before the ferry.)

Please RSVP by September 7, 2010 to Tara Holmes at

tholmesckchcs@cogeco.net or (519) 397-5455

*This Open House will offer an opportunity to meet some of our team and learn about our services. Bring along your colleagues!

CHATHAM-KENT – Several staff members of the new Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres (C-K CHCs) were on-hand Thursday morning when Executive Director Kristen Williams announced the Centres launch of its’ official website, www.ckchc.ca . The Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network, the Centres primary funding source, had hosted the website previously on an interim basis to support the newly developing centres. “I am very pleased to announce that our website is now available for the community as well as agencies advocating on behalf of their clients, seeking information that will assist in ensuring that people who have difficulty accessing health services are able to get the care they need.” said Williams.

“The Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres website is one of many tools the Centres are using to provide outreach and much-needed information for those people whose needs are not currently being met.” stated the Centres’ Board President John Zarebski.

The Community Partnership Breakfast was held today in the Aristo Room at Smitty’s Restaurant. An overview of Ontario Community Health Centres was presented to the audience consisting of management and front-line health and social service providers from over 35 different agencies and organizations serving clients throughout Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island. Information was provided regarding the client intake process for people with specific health risks who do not have access to a primary care provider.

Primary care services will be available to registered clients of the Community Health Centres. Health promotion, disease prevention and community development programs will be available to all residents in an effort to improve the overall health of our community.

Delivery of comprehensive health services at the 150 Richmond Street location in Chatham began in early June followed by the opening of the Walpole Island work station in early August. The Wallaceburg location is scheduled to open during Fall 2010, with the interim site set to be announced in the near future.

For more on the CHC model of care please visit: www.ontariochc.ca

Contact:

Kristen Williams, Executive Director, C-K CHCs

Tel: 519-437-8560

kwilliamsckchcs@cogeco.net

John Zarebski, Board President, C-K CHCs

john.zarebski@gmail.com

“This is the start of what will be a very effective partnership”, said Executive Director of the centres Kristen Williams. “As the Walpole Island site develops, programs and services will expand further through increased collaborations with other agencies and organizations serving this community.”

Like Ontario’s 74 other community health centres, Chatham–Kent Community Health Centres are community governed and community driven. The Walpole Island community was consulted in creating the new site and several meetings with Chief Gilbert, Band Council members and community healthcare stakeholders served to provide feedback regarding the specific health care needs of the community. Clint Peters, a member of the First Nations Band Council sits on the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres Board.

“We welcome the addition of service to this community. We appreciate the partnership with the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres (and funding support through the LHIN), which will assist in addressing the health needs of our community”, states Chief Gilbert, Walpole Island First Nations.

The opening has also been welcomed by the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (ESC LHIN). “The opening of the Walpole Island location of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres is great news. By having a local presence on Walpole Island the community will have improved access to primary care closer to home,” said Gary Switzer, Chief Executive Officer of the ESC LHIN. “An understanding of the local community is what makes a Community Health Centre an excellent setting for primary care”.

John Zarebski, Board President of the Chatham Kent Community Health Centres, applauded the current government for its decision to expand access to Ontario’s Community Health Centres. “In addition to the main site of the new Chatham-Kent centre in Chatham and the soon-to-open Walpole Island site, we continue to work towards a Wallaceburg site and expect to have an announcement in the near future. These interim sites will be our home for the next couple of years. The Board is currently securing permanent sites and commencing the capital planning process with the Ministry of Health to build our permanent locations in Chatham and Wallaceburg. Community Health Centres are one of the best ways to improve the health of individuals, families and entire communities.”

“This is very good news for the residents of Walpole Island First Nations”, said MPP Maria Van Bommel. “Service delivery directly in the community will assist with prevention and early detection of health issues and meet the specific needs of our First Nations community.”

Initially, a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner will operate from the Walpole site. Nurse Practitioners are able to diagnose, and treat illnesses and injuries along with ordering some prescriptions and laboratory tests. Nurse Practitioners also provide health promotion and education to assist clients in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and prevention of illness.

Recent studies by the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute show that because Ontario’s Community Health Centres make extensive use of Nurse Practitioners they are able to deliver superior chronic disease prevention and management. Health Canada reports that Aboriginal people are three to five times more likely to experience type 2 diabetes than non-Aboriginal Canadians.

“Not only is accessible primary health care essential for the health of residents of Walpole Island and Chatham-Kent,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, “but it is also a basic requirement for productive communities, an enhanced quality of life, and the attraction of newcomers and investors. The new Walpole Island site is a significant step forward for the entire area.”

Through the community engagement process of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres, it was identified that over half of Walpole Island’s 2000 residents have no access to a primary care practitioner.

For more on the CHC model of care please visit: www.ontariochc.ca

Contact:

Kristen Williams, Executive Director, C-K CHC’s
Tel: 519-437-8560
kwilliamsckchcs@cogeco.net

John Zarebski, Board President, C-K CHC’s
john.zarebski@gmail.com

“The opening of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres is wonderful news for our community. Everyone deserves to have access to primary care through a doctor or nurse practitioner. The new Chatham-Kent CHCs will ensure that our most vulnerable residents get the health care they need to stay well or get better when they are ill” said Gary Switzer, CEO, Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network.

The opening of the interim site located at the corner of Lacroix and Richmond Street is the result of almost five years of effort on behalf of community residents to bring a Community Health Centre to the area. In addition to primary care provided by nurse practitioners, family physicians and a collaborative team of health care providers, the centre will also offer health promotion, disease prevention and community development programs to the greater community. As the community health centre grows, services will expand through partnerships with other health organizations in the community.

“Interim sites of the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres will be opening on Walpole Island early in August, and the Wallaceburg site will be operational in September“ says Executive Director of the Centres, Kristen Williams. “The centres are specifically designed to care for people without access to a primary care practitioner who have specific health risks and may not be able to access the health care they need at present.”

Like the over 70 other Community Health Centres across Ontario, the new Community Health Centre site in Chatham will offer a comprehensive approach to improving the health of individuals, families and communities. Based on feedback gathered in extensive community consultations the centre will be focusing on populations that traditionally have faced difficulties accessing care: economically disadvantaged people, youth (ages 13-21), people with mental health challenges, people with addictions, people with communication challenges that make accessing health services difficult, and people who are temporarily in the community, for example, seasonal workers.

“Improving health equity and working toward better health for all people living in Chatham-Kent means we must proactively reach out to those who face the greatest barriers accessing the services they need to keep well, ” says Centres’ Board President John Zarebski.

“I am pleased that through the positive policies of the McGuinty government, new facilities such as this are increasing access to primary health care in our community,” said Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Pat Hoy.

For more on the CHC model of care please visit: www.ontariochc.ca

Contact:

Kristen Williams, Executive Director, C-K CHC’s
Tel: 519-437-8560
kwilliamsckchcs@cogeco.net

John Zarebski, Board President, C-K CHC’s
john.zarebski@gmail.com