ANNEX TO BECOME NEW CLINIC

Years after it was first purchased for the Huntsville Public Library, the Annex is getting an upgrade with plans to operate a new health clinic.

"It's a great initiative for the community, especially with the ongoing pressures we're hearing about regarding COVID illnesses and the flu season," said David Tremblay, CEO of the public library. "Hopefully, it can get up and running soon, and some of these pressures be alleviated."

The Town of Huntsville is leasing the Annex building to the family health team for two years. Rent would be waived, and the town would pay for building utilities.

The agreement comes on the heels of concerns faced by many about the shortage of health-care

professionals across town. In a previous interview with this paper, the health team's executive director, Janine van den Heuvel, said the demand for healthcare professionals is exceeding the supply. Communities without enough family doctors and nurse practitioners, said van den Heuvel, force individuals to rely on the emergency department or walk-in clinics to get the services they need.

In a release on Nov. 14, the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario called on the provincial government to "increase the number of nurse practitioner-led clinics in the province."

Citing long wait times in hospitals and staffing shortages, the release stated that nurse practitioners could "help fill the current gaps in primary care, including in our rural and remote communities."

Heather Leonard, owner of the Ron Henry Jewellers in Huntsville, said having the health clinic at the Annex is a much-needed asset for the town. She hopes the clinic can stick around rather than remain temporary.

"I personally know of many people in this town that have had doctors, (but) their doctors retired ... I know lots of people that have moved to town and no longer have doctors," said Leonard. "I think it's crucial. If I didn't have a family doctor already, I would definitely use the services (at the Annex)."

While the council approved the process to enter into an agreement with the family health team, the town has yet to finalize it. Denise Corry, the town's chief administrative officer, said the agreement will be finalized before the end of the month. The clinic could start operating as early as December.

Corry said the town is working with the library board to push the initiative.

"This is what happens when we unite as a community to try to find solutions to major issues ... health care is one of them," said Corry. "Typically, health care does not fall under our jurisdiction. Lately, we have been stepping up to the plate to assist — it's obviously extremely important to our community."

The town, said Corry, has set aside up to $60,000 for work to be done to improve the parking lot by the Annex building. The money will be taken from the capital replacement reserve.

The decision came at a regular council meeting on

Nov. 7, when town councillors passed a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with the Algonquin Family Health Team. The agreement outlines that the Annex building, at 1 Minerva Street East, would be designated a medical clinic.

The library board acquired the building through the town in 2015, providing the library with additional space to carry out programming and events. The library also rented out the space for community meetings.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: When news broke that the Town of Huntsville would be leasing the Annex building to the Algonquin Family Health Team, we felt it was important to share with our readers what it would mean to have a new health clinic.