Health centre would serve 6,000 marginalized and homeless people in Peterborough who lack a family doctor.
Peterborough may soon receive news on a funding application for a community health centre to serve 6,000 marginalized and homeless people in Peterborough who lack a family doctor. And, at a committee meeting Monday night, one city councillor said he was concerned about this type of centre potentially being located downtown.
“The last thing the downtown needs is another low-barrier access point,” said Coun. Dave Haacke, referring to places people can access help – such as emergency shelters - when showing signs of intoxication or mental health distress.
Councillors had just heard a presentation about the status of the project and the funding application to the Ontario Health Ministry. Councillors unanimously received the presentation given by Jonathan Bennett, who chairs the group that applied for the operating money.
Bennett asked councillors to advocate as best they can for the funding, since the application was submitted in June and there could be an announcement on it soon. “Please advocate - I know you have large influence,” Bennett told councillors. “We’ve been missed before, but now it’s our time.”
Bennett said the clinic’s location hasn’t been determined, but that a downtown spot would make sense; no other councillors expressed any concerns about it potentially being downtown.
In fact Coun. Alex Bierk said he wished there was more city council could do to move along the funding application.
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