For its first year, the newly established Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) is set to begin operations from a temporary location in the heart of downtown Peterborough. The PCHC will occupy this temporary space (formerly held by TD Bank) at Peterborough Square, 360 George St. N. This arrangement, which is expected to last up to 12 months, marks just the initial phase of the PCHC’s establishment.
"We are eager to start seeing clients as soon as possible," said PCHC Board Chair, Jonathan Bennett. "Our priority is to hire primary care providers, allied health professionals, and all the necessary staff to establish this organization from the ground up, which is why we chose a 12-month lease."
This development follows the provincial government's announcement in February 2024 of just over $4.8 million in annual funding for the PCHC. The PCHC will provide comprehensive primary care and allied health services, including traditional healing, mental health support, and chronic disease management.
Opening the CHC promptly to meet the needs of the community is a top priority. "We aim to open our doors as quickly as possible," said Bennett. "Peterborough Square was chosen because it can be quickly converted into suitable clinic space, allowing us to see clients sooner."
Interim Co-Executive Director David Jeffery highlighted the importance of community integration. "Our goal is to create a welcoming space where all community members can access the care they need," said Jeffery. "We are committed to working closely with local organizations and health services to ensure that our clients receive comprehensive, equitable, and culturally relevant care.”
The PCHC aims to begin client services in the fall, bringing up to 30 new healthcare jobs to the area. This includes physicians, nurse practitioners, traditional healers, and dedicated allied health professionals such as a dietitian, physiotherapist, mental health counsellors and Indigenous knowledge keepers – all collaborating to provide interprofessional team-based care under one roof.
Additionally, the PCHC will be offering community programs at no cost that support the physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of residents.
While the search for an interim space continues, plans for a permanent location are still in the early stages. "We're going to take our time to make sure we pick an interim space that's really going to meet our needs for growth and scale over several years ahead,” said Bennett.
The community is encouraged to stay tuned for updates as the PCHC works towards its mission of providing comprehensive, equitable and accessible healthcare to the residents of Peterborough. For more information, please visit https://ptbochc.ca.