In a move that Mayor John Green admitted was a long time coming, Mapleton council has approved a lease agreement with the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team.
However, Green said the delay was not the fault of the township, and noted there was an issue with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, which provides 100 per cent of the funding for the Family Health Team (FHT).
The four-year agreement, which was approved by council on May 10, was made retroactive to Feb. 1 and will end on Jan. 31, 2012.
As payment for being housed in the new Mapleton Community Health Centre on Andrews Drive in Drayton, the FHT will pay $3,125 in monthly rent to the township, for a total annual payment of $37,500 plus GST.
The township will be responsible for all major repairs and renovations to the building, as well as security, outdoor maintenance, custodial services, and utilities. The FHT will take care of telephone and communication bills, insurance costs, and “minor repairs” and “internal renovations.”
Council unanimously passed a bylaw approving the lease agreement.
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The FHT consists of a group of health professionals working together with eight primary care physicians who have a combined roster of over 11,000 patients.
While the corporate headquarters for the FHT is located in Drayton, a team of registered nurses, social workers, a dietitian, a health promoter, and part-time pharmacist are also available to patients in the Clifford, Palmerston, Harriston, Moorefield, and rural areas in Minto and Mapleton townships.
For more information on the FHT visit www.mmfht.ca or call 519-638-2110.
