After more than two years of service provided primarily by a Catholic hospital, the Church-Wellesley area can expect “very urban,” “very gritty,” and “absolutely independent” health services.
That’s how Jason Grier, the transition director for the Wellesley Central Health Corporation, describes the outlook of his organization. It’s one of two groups emerging from the ashes of the old Wellesley Central Hospital. Both have launched public relation efforts this month to get community attention.
The organization that will likely have the largest impact on the gay and lesbian community is The Sherbourne Health Centre, which plans to take over the Wellesley Hospital site to offer out-patient and family practice services starting in 2001.
“We’re focussing on one area: out patients and walk-in services. We’re focussing on primary care, first access care,” says Suzanne Boggild, the CEO of Sherbourne Health Centre.
The centre is still in the process of drawing up a list of what those services will be. Boggild says there will be extensive community consultations. Priority number one is accessibility, particularly to groups who have trouble accessing services, like new immigrants and the homeless.
The Wellesley Central Health Corporation, now operating without a building of its own, will be more research oriented in its approach to urban health.
Working with organizations like the Rekai Centre, the Wellesley Toronto Arthritis And Immune Disorder Research Centre, the corporation will devoted to research, education, public policy development and community development. Like the Sherbourne Health Centre, the focus will be on reaching hard to reach groups, particular to downtown living.
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