Barrie pharmacy launches 1st provincial pharmacist care walk-in clinic
The first provincial pharmacist care walk-in clinic has opened at the Rexall in the north end of Barrie to provide more immediate care for minor illnesses and chronic care in a more private setting.
With a critical shortage of doctors in the province, the ability for pharmacists to help prescribe for some ailments may help keep patients out of emergency rooms.
“I would say it’s a historic moment,” said Qaiser Hassan, the pharmacy manager of the Rexall on Duckworth Street. “People already come to us when they cannot see their own family doctor.”
The pharmacist care walk-in clinic plans to offer personalized health care at a similar level as hospitals and family physicians, and at a much faster rate.
“The goal is to see the doctors within 15-to-20 minutes,” added Hassan.
The care will also be provided under OHIP coverage.
“Some of the things people come into a family physician for may be able to come to a pharmacist,” said Rolan Vaisman, a clinical pharmacist at Rexall. “Such as the minor illnesses we are advertising in our services.”
Those services will include prescriptions for strep throat, cold sores, urinary tract infections, and rashes among other illnesses.
“It’s something that will embrace the new model of pharmacy as pharmacies continue with having an expanded scope,” Vaisman added.
Both MP Doug Shipley and MPP Doug Downey touted the significance of what it means to enhance health care in Barrie for those who might be struggling to find a family doctor.
“I know a lot of people go to [Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre] for small things,” stated Shipley. “Hopefully this takes some of the pressure off of them.”
“I think it’s a great innovation,” said Downey. “Now [pharmacies] will be able to deal with walkins and provide treatment.”
The new pharmacist care walk-in clinic will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Rexall hopes the Duckworth Street location will be the first of many across Ontario.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.