The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) opened a new office here on Nov. 13.
As the most northern office for the organization, the Fergus location will allow staff to better serve Wellington residents, providing care closer to home for many patients, officials say.
Centre Wellington councillor Mary Lloyd said she welcomes the LHIN office as a councillor, as nearby business owner, and as a board member of Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
She noted the hospital’s strong connection with the LHIN – “not just (for) the first visit to the emergency room … but to the end of life.”
Waterloo Wellington LHIN CEO Bruce Lauckner said, “We are proud members of the local chamber (of commerce) and are excited to be a key employer in Wellington – directly through our organization and indirectly through the organizations we fund, including local hospitals, community support services, long-term care homes, mental health and addiction services and home care providers.
“We couldn’t be prouder of this new office.”
Previously, staff had to travel from Guelph to provide local services.
“It is about giving love and support right within the community,” Lauckner said. He added clients can expect to be met “by someone who really cares and wants to help.
“We have many families who are not really certain who to turn to in times of need, whether it is personal support or nursing, therapy support. This will be the access point for a lot of community care.
“What is really important are the connections to the community – being a member of the community is really important to us.”
In terms of community offices, Lauckner said, “We’d like to have a higher presence in many of our communities. Rural residents of Wellington County deserve the same access to care.”
Lauckner said community care is growing as are the needs.
Chantal Simon, WWLHIN manager of patient services, said the move to Fergus in June was exciting.
“I have a great team of care coordinators and assistants who provide a great service to our residents in Wellington County,” said Simon.
She explained the Fergus location provides a hub at which staff can collaborate with each other and community partners, and also meet with and serve local families.
Simon noted the whole Waterloo Region has been realigned into neighborhoods, including centre-east Wellington and north Wellington.
The new office, at 181 St. Andrew Street, Unit 10, as a satellite office, is not fully staffed with reception or a switchboard.
“It really is meant to be a satellite space for our care coordinators and team assistants so that they can remain in the community where they are working,” Simon said.
The office will provide a meeting space to for community partners, she added, noting, “We needed a space for them to dock their computers and collaborate with each other.”
Prior to June, the closest office to utilize was in Guelph.
She added, “a lot of our team members are actually from this community, so it means a lot for them to be able to provide these services within their own communities.”
Simon added there is also a small office in Groves hospital but it’s primarily for the hospital-based service coordinator and team assistant.
The Fergus office will also function as a drop-in and resource office for staff, but there will be no public hours of operation.
Those interested in home and community care resources in Wellington can call 310-2222.
More information is available about the LHIN at www.wwlhin.on.ca.
