IROQUOIS – The St. Lawrence Medical Clinic is making major changes to the health care services it provides to this community, and that will mean the end for the Iroquois clinic.
SLMC is consolidating its medical care in South Dundas at its Morrisburg location, announcing this afternoon that they will not offer appointments at the Iroquois office as of July 15, 2019.
In the media release SLMC officials said: “The Medical profession in Ontario has been under strain. We are having difficulty recruiting new physicians, as are many rural areas in Ontario. At the present time we do not have enough physicians to operate three facilities nor is it economically feasible for the Clinic to do so. Therefore, we have decided to consolidate South Dundas medical care at the Morrisburg location.”
Changes are also coming to laboratory services offered at the clinics in South Dundas and South Stormont.
“St Lawrence Medical Clinic has been funding the provision of laboratory services at our clinics. We recognize that this is an important resource for our patients and that is why we have absorbed the significant cost associated with operating the lab. Unfortunately, we can no longer privately fund the labs and will cease to do so as of September 2,2019. The Clinic is working with the lab companies and we are hopeful that laboratory services will continue to be available at our sites.”
“The Townships of South Dundas and South Stormont have agreed to assist us in physician recruitment. If we are successful Clinic services may be revised,” reads the release.
The SLMC also announced that its future plans include a new after hours service that will be offered by the Clinic to provide urgent care appointments. That service is expected to commence in July 2019 and further details will be forthcoming.
The St Lawrence Medical Clinic has been providing medical care to this community for more than 50 years.