Newly renovated North Bay nurse practitioner clinic, created in partnership with the Children’s Aid Society
On Friday, February 24, VON staff and special guests celebrated the grand opening of our newly renovated North Bay nurse practitioner clinic, created in partnership with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound.
The clinic provides families receiving services through CAS with much-needed access to a primary healthcare provider. Timely access to critical services helps mitigate risk factors associated with health, education and lifestyle that could otherwise lengthen stabilization or recovery time for families.
The nurse practitioner is also able to provide the complete physical assessments that are required within 72 hours for children who newly enter CAS care, saving kids from potentially long and stressful visits to the emergency room.
The new clinic space is co-located in a hub with other CAS programs and services. A repurposed school space, the Elmwood Hub also has a youth pantry, two classrooms and a clothing boutique.
MPP Victor Fedeli, who was on hand for the grand opening, remarked that partnerships like this are so important in taking some of the pressure off hospitals and ensuring no children go without health care. Mayor Peter Chirico praised home and community care and VON, as a past recipient of VON services himself.
Shari Comerford, National Director, Nurse Practitioner Professional Practice, thanked VON staff and Nancy Lafrance, Director of Services for CAS. She added that this is a welcoming and compassionate environment for children and their families who do not have access to primary care and many who present with challenging complex health issues.
VON looks forward to a long partnership with CAS to bring primary care to these families.
