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A doctors' clinic in Vernon is closing due to a failure to find enough physicians to cover the necessary shifts, according to a spokesperson who did not want to be identified.
The Vernon Family Doctors' walk-in clinic at the Fruit Union Plaza on Highway 6 has given public notice it will close permanently on Mar. 19, 2016 at 5 p.m.
“We're struggling with doctor coverage,” said the spokesperson, adding that 22 doctors cover shifts at the clinic.
“We apologize for any inconvenience (the closure) may cause,” stated a notice from the clinic. “We encourage all our patients to attend their regular family physicians.”
For those who don't have a family doctor, patients are told to attend one of the other two walk-in clinics in Vernon.
Patient charts will be kept in trust by Dr. David Screen, said the notice.
Vernon Jubilee Hospital's health services administrator Richard Harding said he is aware of the upcoming closure of the clinic and "the potential impact it could have."
Harding said commenting on the possible impact to hospital services, such as the emergency department, would be "speculative" at this point.
Social Planning Council executive director Annette Sharkey said social welfare groups in Vernon have talked about the impact it may have on the street population.
"We are actually hosting a networking meeting between outreach workers, Downtown Primary Care and VJH staff in early December and this will definitely be one of the topics," said Sharkey.
"The closure...will most certainly have a negative impact on not only all citizens of Vernon, but specifically those who are the most marginalized," said Kelly Fehr, John Howard Society program director.
"It is a real struggle for anybody to find a family doctor in Vernon. The wait times at walk-in clinics can be two hours at times," said Fehr. "For somebody who suffers from anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder or a concurrent disorder these long wait times can be enough for a person to not pursue receiving the medical help they need."
