One of the biggest challenges that families with young children face in The Ottawa Valley is reliable and consistent child healthcare – in fact the issue exists in countless communities right across Canada. One in five children aged zero to five do not have a primary care provider. Enter the Renfrew County Child Wellness Hub.
The Renfrew County Child Wellness Hub was established with dedicated funding to improve access to healthcare for young children and their families. Designed to bridge gaps in care and connect families with vital health services, the initiative is a collaborative effort between ConnectWell, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, and the Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub.
Heather Robertson, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner explains how the service is a unique offering in The Valley:
The wide range of service that are available means that its pretty much a “one stop shop” for families who have children in need of healthcare especially when an unplanned or “episodic” issue arises that needs quick attention. Kaitlyn Wallace who is a Registered Nurse with the program explains:
Given that they are a relatively new organization they have decided to position themselves in certain areas of the County on given days to help make planning for parents and appointment making easier:
And the best news yet is that its free to anyone who is under OHIP and also to those who are un-insured. Another big plus, says Robertson, is their infant wellness program where they will see a newborn and follow that child through their infancy in order to monitor development:
Their hours for intake are Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call the Renfrew County Child Wellness Hub direct line at 613-570-8953. For more information on all of their services head to their website at:
https://connectwell.ca/services/renfrew-county-child-wellness-hub/
(Written By: Richard Evans)