Nurse Practitioner-led clinic opening in Wheatley

By Mark Ribble

After four months without a family doctor in Wheatley, the community is getting a Nurse Practitioner-led clinic in the village.

Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past several months, with the announcement made at their new location in Wheatley on Thursday, April 13.

The new location will be at the old Hub Insurance building on Erie Street South, which will also double as the new location of Guardian Drugs.

“This has been a work in progress for some time,” said MPP Trevor Jones. “It shows our resilience and determination. Wheatley is a precious rural-based community.”

Jones credited many of the people behindthe-scenes for starting the movement toward the opening of the clinic, from Dr. Eaton’s office to Wheatley area residents who fought hard to make this happen.

“Everyone knows our beloved Dr. Eaton has stayed long past his expected retirement date,” he said. “We can have professional health care right here in Wheatley.”

The clinic will be part of the Thamesview Family Health Team and their Executive Director Denis Waddick explained that the goal was to be up and running by the end of April.

“Provided construction is complete, we hope to be open by the end of the month,” she said.

Waddick explained that the clinic would be open to anyone who currently does not have a primary care provider, including patients of Dr. Eaton who had yet to catch on with a new doctor.

The clinic will have access to pharmacists, dieticians, registered nurses and social workers as with any other office from the Family Health Team.

Chatham-Kent Councillor Lauren Anderson was quick to give credit to members of the community who have stepped up to make this happen.

“Denise has been a pioneer for this model of health care and this collaboration has been wonderful,” she said. “Everyone involved has shown that Wheatley doesn’t take no for an answer. We will rise from the ashes.”

Anyone in the Wheatley area who is in need of primary care can contact the Thamesview Family Health Team at 226-4840124 to begin the process of getting on their roster.

On hand to announce the new Nurse Practitioner-led clinic in Wheatley were Chatham-Kent Councillor Lauren Anderson, Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Trevor Jones and Thamesview Family Health Team Executive Director Denise Waddick. SUN photo