The Brockton and Area Medical Clinic is no closer to reality than it was two months ago and local officials are getting frustrated at the delay.
Plans to build the clinic next to the Walkerton hospital have been at a standstill since mid-April when the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was handed the architect’s drawings.
At that time, Walter Yewchyn, vice president of corporate services for the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, said the project was on a fast-track. He anticipated breaking ground for the clinic in June or July.
The hold-up on the Ministry’s end is frustrating clinic fundraising chair Maurice Donnelly to no end.
“Two months should be long enough for them to make up their minds,” he said last week. “It’s time the people of Brockton and area know that we have been trying to get things moving but politics are standing in the way.”
Donnelly said he has been in regular contact with Huron-Bruce MPP?Carol Mitchell’s office, but has yet to see her take any action on the matter.
“The response has been frustrating. She says yes, we are well aware of the situation, but nothing has changed,” said Donnelly.
Members of the physician recruitment and retention committee, who spearheaded the idea of a clinic to house the area’s Family Health Team, are also upset with the Ministry for taking so long to issue its stamp of approval.
“This is tantamount to a terrible slap in the face, not only to us but to the citizens,” said physician recruiter Joe Rys. “The residents supported this clinic and damnit, this is unfair.”
Brockton Coun. Tim Mancell agreed the wait is unfair, and frustrating to those in the community involved with the project.
“It is very political,” he said. “There are hospitals closing in some parts of the province so there’s speculation (the Ministry) may be afraid to announce a new build right now, even though it’s not costing them one cent.”
The fundraising committee is attempting to raise $2 million to build the clinic (construction is to coincide with a $1.5 million hospital renovation, paid for by the SBGHC). The group is about $400,000 shy of its goal.
“We haven’t even tried to fundraise since April because people want to see a shovel in the ground before they’ll donate,” said Donnelly. “But we are fully prepared when that happens to continue to fundraise and reach our goal.”
Mancell noted that both the federal and provincial governments are “throwing money” at shovel-ready projects designed to stimulate the economy. It’s ironic, he said, for the Ministry of Health not to give quick approval to the clinic. “We’re not even asking for money,” he pointed out.
The Brockton and Area Family Health Team is currently working out of a renovated area of the Walkerton hospital. That space is too small for the number of people employed, said FHT board member Paul Crysler.
“It’s just got to start moving along. People are frustrated and it’s only going to get worse as (the new doctor) comes on board,” he said.
“And, if we’re lucky enough to get another doctor, we’ll really be up the creek because there’s just no room for them.”
The South West Local Health Integration Network signed off on the clinic plans in February. The former nurses’ residence to the east end of the hospital was demolished this spring to make room for the new build.
In a news release issued Friday, Huron-Bruce MPP?Carol Mitchell said she is well aware of the situation.
“Myself and my office have been in constant contact with the Minister’s office constantly to move forward this application as fast as is possible. I have taken the position with the Ministry in regards to this application that it must be resolved immediately. I understand how hard the community has worked to raise these funds and that the space is needed desperately moving forward” she said.
At a press conference Monday morning, Mitchell said she has been unable to get a timeline for the project from the Minister’s office. But she said she’s told them “it must move forward immediately”.
 – With files from John McPhee