Last walk-in medical clinic in Huron-Perth to close its doors at the end of the year

A weekend walk-in medical clinic in Exeter will close later this month due to a doctor shortage and burnout. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

Patients who used to rely on Exeter’s weekend walk-in clinic will be heading elsewhere for care next year.

“The last day the clinic will be open will be Dec. 29., and then after that time, there won’t be any more weekend clinics in South Huron,” said Jimmy Trieu, CEO of the Huron Health System that manages hospitals in Exeter and Goderich.

Trieu says they simply ran out of physicians willing and able to cover the weekend shift at the walk-in clinic, which operated out of the South Huron Medical Centre, directly across the street from the South Huron Hospital.

“Our physicians who work at the hospital also cover the clinic during the week and also on the weekends, and they were just getting too busy and bogged down. So, we wanted to make sure that we weren’t overburdening them and causing burnout for our physicians,” he said.

South Huron Hospital’s Chief of Staff Dr. Sean Ryan agrees.

“Our physicians have been doing everything they can to support access to care, but the current staffing realities are simply unsustainable. Our priorities are maintaining 24-7 coverage in our emergency department and for our patients admitted to hospital. We remain committed to working with our partners to find long-term solutions, but in the meantime, we must make decisions that protect both patients and our clinical teams,” he said.

Exeter’s walk-in clinic was the last walk-in clinic left in Huron or Perth County, says Trieu.

“We were in a unique position to be able to offer walk-in clinics. We were the only ones in all of Huron County and Perth County even to offer walk-in clinics. They are becoming harder and harder to come by. And again, it really is a matter of supply and demand, not enough physicians to run those clinics. And that’s why we’re in the situation that we are,” he said.

Trieu adds another reason for the clinic closure was the fact that the Huron Health System was footing the bill for it. The province was putting no money into the walk-in clinic, so the Exeter and Goderich hospitals were pulling resources and money from other parts of the hospital budget to pay for it.

“This, for the moment, is a permanent reduction. Who knows what the future might hold. If we were able to recruit more physicians, perhaps there is an opportunity to open up the clinic on the weekends. Again, it comes down to the availability of physicians. Human health resources has been an issue across the province as everyone knows. It’s been harder and harder to recruit for those positions. The government has programs in place to provide more physicians into the system, but that’s going to take a couple of years before we see the benefits of that,” said Trieu.

Those seeking medical care on weekends for non-urgent concerns are encouraged to dial 811, where registered nurses are available to provide advice and help determine appropriate next steps.

They can also access the Virtual Urgent Care Program at urgentcareontario.ca or by calling 1-844-227-3844 for support with urgent but non-emergency medical issues.

During the week, those without a family doctor may also schedule an appointment at an unattached care clinic in their area.

Area emergency rooms are also an option.