It’s going to be business as usual for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health this summer even though its clinics are moving to the Shelldale Centre and the administrative office will move to 503 Imperial Road in Guelph.
Public Health has been in its Southgate location in the city since 2007 when it moved out of the building on Delhi Street because of asbestos.
The move is necessary because the sublease at the Southgate location was disclaimed by the landlord. Following extensive negotiations with the owners of the building, mutually agreeable terms could not be reached.
“Having to relocate staff and clinics with 60 days notice is an untenable situation for a public health service provider,” said chairman of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Board of Health Amanda Rayburn.
To ensure continuity of service, the board considered the issue and determined it is necessary to move to a new temporary location by the end of August. Although a number of sites were considered, the Imperial Road building is large enough and can be secured until a new permanent Public Health facility in Guelph is available in December 2013.
Clinic services currently provided at the Southgate office include testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, immunizations, tuberculosis screening and travel health clinics. Those services will move to the Shelldale Centre off Dawson Road and officials are working with community partners who can offer short-term clinic space.
The move will affect approximately 80 employees. Non-clinical staff such as Public Health inspectors, health promotion specialists and public health nurses will be relocated to the Imperial Road location.
“It is unfortunate that planning for our new permanent building has been subject to some very long delays, but I have every confidence that our staff will make yet another relocation with as little inconvenience to the public as possible,” said Rayburn. “The Board of Health is committed to minimizing the impact of the move on its budget and service delivery. We have found a location that is available for the length of time needed as we plan and build our new permanent facility.”
