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
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
BREAKING Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.