News

Health system partners including VON came together to launch a new community nursing clinic at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Campbellford, Ontario in November of 2023. This pilot project was designed to support patients’ safe discharge to the community and reduce the likelihood they would need to return to the emergency department.

VON is one of two service providers to staff the clinic, which is led and funded by Ontario Health atHome (previously Home and Community Care Support Services), the subsidiary of Ontario Health that coordinates in-home and community-based care for Ontarians. CMH has graciously provided the clinic space, in their Multicare Lodge, free of charge.

“Campbellford has an aging population, with many seniors living in the area,” says Aleena Halliwushka, Director, Home and Community Care, Ontario East Region. “There's a demand for healthcare services, and we are pleased to partner to increase care opportunities.”

The clinic serves community members who meet eligibility criteria for nursing care, providing treatments such as IV antibiotics and wound care. In March of 2024, 250 patients were seen by the two clinic service providers.

Heather Campbell, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Executive for CMH noted in an annual report, “Since the clinic opened, they have seen quite a few patients who would otherwise use the emergency department for that visit. Additionally, it provides a care option that may allow our Inpatient Unit Team to safely discharge a patient sooner because they can access nursing care in the community, which frees up beds for sicker patients.”

The VON team was initially unsure as to how many patients would use the clinic. Ultimately, they found that each daily half-day the VON nurse serves the clinic is filled up with clients, both new clients and those who are now able to visit a VON clinic closer to home.

In order to reduce the administrative burden on the nurse, who also provides nursing care in the community, continuing care assistants (CSAs) capably support scheduling of appointments.

“Our CSAs are really important in this because they call the patients the day before and confirm the time frame,” Aleena explains. “And they give them the exact time closer to the appointment so that they can perfectly schedule that nurse that day.” The approach optimizes capacity to ensure that community and clinic patients both get seen.

Aleena is thrilled that all of the partners have come together to support people in their journeys as patients. “By working together and making processes better, it's our communities that benefit,” she says. “We all just want healthier, happier communities.”