Council Votes to Use Proceeds From Casino to Fund Community Medical Centre and After Hours Clinic

Project would benefit Wasaga Beach and surrounding communities

WASAGA BEACH – Today Council of the Town of Wasaga Beach directed staff to move forward with plans to establish a community medical centre and after-hours clinic that would be funded in part through the municipal portion of proceeds from the local OLG/Playtime casino.

“Wasaga Beach is in need of physicians and nurse practitioners to accommodate the number of families in our community without access to a family doctor or routine, preventative health care services,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Residents have spoken clearly and consistently on the need for a Wasaga Beach based medical and after hours clinic and that is why this is one of Council’s top priorities.” 

“This Council believes that the proceeds of our local casino must be used for projects that will build a more resilient Wasaga Beach, build capacity in our community, and benefit the long-term health and wellbeing of our people and local economy,” added Smith. “Using the proceeds from the town’s casino revenue to create a much-needed health centre and after-hours clinic ticks off all these boxes. The benefits of this project will extend beyond Wasaga Beach and support the health and wellbeing of our friends and families in neighbouring communities, including Collingwood, Clearview Township.” 

The proposed medical centre and after hours clinic plans to use 160 Beck Street as a fully equipped, turnkey medical office that features six patient examination rooms. The Town would provide administrative staffing and support to ensure the success of the health centre. 

The Beck Street facility is available at the end of August 2023. The local family physician, Dr. Joe Greyling, who currently operates the medical office, is donating over $10,000 in equipment and furnishing to the Town to help support the project. With Dr. Greyling’s generous contribution, and support through the local Family Health Organization, the new community medical centre and after hours clinic could open as soon as September 1, 2023. 

A plan to operate the new clinic is being developed in discussion and cooperation with leadership at the Georgian Bay Family Health Organization. 

1. The approved plan includes the following services: 
2. After Hours Clinic - An after-hours clinic would be staffed with nurse practitioners providing evening and weekend clinic hours. 
3. Diabetes Team - Certified diabetes educators would provide satellite clinics for adult residents of the region (not just Family Health Teams) and for all types of diabetes. This service provides:
   • Support and education to self manage the condition and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and complications related to uncontrolled diabetes
   • Access to insulin, needles, and testing supplies for those with limited financial resources
   • Adjustment of medications and insulin to optimize blood glucose control
4. Lung Health - Access to a certified respirator educator and respiratory therapist would provide specialist education and support for:
   • Smoking cessation counselling and access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
   • Education and self management strategies for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, including action plans to manage exacerbations of the condition
   • Enrollment to Pulmonary Rehabilitation program delivered in partnership with Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and YMCA
   • Spirometry testing to provide an objective measure of lung function for patients with Adult Asthma, as well as education and support to promote self management and reduce frequency of asthma attacks 
5. Healthy Aging - This program supports older adults living with frailty, and their caregivers, to live independently and safely in the community. Services may include:
   • Assessments (cognitive, functional, mobility)
   • Health teaching
   • Referrals and links to specialized services and community supports
   • Enrolment in the Seniors CARE exercise program, delivered in partnership with South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre and YMCA 
6. Mental Health – Access to social workers and psychotherapists who would provide face-to-face, just-in-time counselling. Providing support for people experiencing a full range of difficulties across the wellbeing and distress continuum. 
7. HealthLinks - Access to social workers who would provide coordinated and efficient care to patients with the most complex needs, such as:

• • An individualized, coordinated care plan
  • Support to follow the plan and achieve their personal goals
  • Warm referrals to appropriate health and social services to help individuals and families manage the barriers associated with the Social Determinants of Health 

QUICK FACTS 

• Council has approved the use of a portion of the town’s casino revenue as a proposed funding source for a new community medical centre and after-hours clinic. 

• The proposed community medical centre and after-hours clinic will support better health outcomes for Wasaga Beach residents and families. 

• The proposed clinic is not a substitution for doctor recruitment. The Town will continue its efforts to attract and retain doctors, family physicians and nurse practitioners. 

• A survey completed by South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team in October of 2022 shows that the Town of Wasaga Beach requires two physicians now to accommodate the number of patients without doctors in our community. To keep up with demand, the municipality will require three new doctors in the next two years and four new doctors within the next three to five years. 

Additional resources 

Read the staff report.

Learn more about Wasaga Beach’s Playtime OLG casino.

Learn more about our partners, including the Georgian Bay Family Health Organization.   

 MEDIA CONTACTS

Sandra Watts
Director of Strategic Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
(705) 443-9248
sandra.watts@wasagabeach.com