New Community Care Clinic inspires “trust and confidence”
“If you’re mobile, you need to definitely come to the clinic. It’s the best.”
With these words Nadja Wojna sums up her experience at VCH Richmond’s new Community Care Clinic. Opened Feb. 15, the clinic is located directly across the street from Richmond Hospital and replaces the old Cook Road Home Health Clinic.
Light and airy with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and walls the colour of the sea, coming to the new clinic inspires a sense of peace and wellbeing.
“It’s just fantastic walking in here,” says Wojna, the long-time Richmond resident who has accessed community-based care since November for maintenance of her chemotherapy access device. “It’s a good feeling.”
More people accessing more care
The new Community Care Clinic effectively doubles IV and quadruples treatment space. Over the coming months, as many as 40 per cent of home-nursing clients will receive their care at the clinic.
“We will continue to offer home visits to those clients who are truly bed-bound or too frail or compromised to leave their homes safely,” says Nellie Hariri, director, Primary, Home and Community Care. “For everyone else who is capable of getting out-and-about, we feel coming to the clinic optimizes independence, reduces social isolation, and promotes mobility.”
A client preference for clinic care
The new clinic’s weekday opening hours will be eventually extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. over the coming months, and care on weekends will also be available. For Wojna, the advantage of clinic over home-based care is the ability for her to book appointments well in advance.
Indeed, this is the reason that most clients appreciate clinic care over waiting for a home nursing visit. “We try really hard to make sure clients are seen at the times they book,” said Donna Leggett, one of clinic’s two regular nurses. “This is our client’s time, and we try to be respectful of that.”
Despite the ability to schedule her appointments, Wojna is most appreciative of the continuity of care she receives at the clinic, and the relationships that have developed. “Donna knows me and is familiar with my care. That gives me confidence,” says Wojna. “She’s become my best friend through all this.”