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This article is the third in a continuing series of “Questions and Answers” about the Tavistock Health Centre.
Q. My neighbour told me that she saw a specialist at our Tavistock Health Centre. What health-care services are available at the Centre?
A. For over 30 years patients have seen their family doctor at the Tavistock Health Centre at 80 Maria Street . This hasn’t changed. Our 6 doctors are the primarily health-care providers. Other professional services are now available at the Centre.
Dr. Michael Gillett, an internist, practises at the Tavistock Health Centre one afternoon a week. He deals with a wide range of non-surgical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and other neurological problems. If your family doctor recommends that you see a specialist in internal medicine and if you choose to have Dr. Gillett as that specialist, then you can see him at our Health Centre.
Karen Furtney practises at the Health two days each month. Her expertise is diabetes, specifically diabetes education and counselling patients.
Individuals who wish to have foot care treatment can book an appointment directly with Brenda Bender and have this work done by Brenda at the Health Centre.
We hope, in the future, to make more health-care services available at the Centre.
Q. We often read and hear about promises to improve the health-care system. What are some real changes that are being made in health care that affect our Health Centre?
A. Let’s talk about two real changes that directly impact our Health Centre. Both deal with funding. In recent days TCHI was informed that we have been approved by the Ministry for IT funding for computers and electronic medical records. As well, the Ministry of Health has announced funding for approved Family Health Teams (FHT). FHTs work much like our Health Centre does now … family doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals working as a team and linked to other health-care organizations in the community. Approved FHTs receive funding from the Ministry to subsidize the costs of nursing and administrative staff, specialists and technology. This helps to defray the operational costs of running the Health Centre. Tavistock Community Health Inc. has made application to become an approved Family Health Team. We hope to hear in late March or early April if we have been approved.
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If you have a question you would like answered, please drop it off at the clinic in the “Questions” envelope posted on the bulletin board in Reception at the Tavistock Health Centre. You may wish to include your name or you may wish to be anonymous. Should you want to discuss a Q&A or any related subject, please call the clinic at 655-2322 and ask for Blain McCutchen, the Business Manager.