The Summerland After Hours Clinic is revising its hours effective July 1.
The clinic, at Rosedale Medical, will be open Monday to Thursday, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Initially the service was offered seven days a week, but has recently experienced irregular closures due to staffing challenges.
Summerland physicians have been providing this service since the Summerland hospital closed in 2001.
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“As physicians who live and work in Summerland we take great pride in trying to meet all of the primary care needs of our community,” said Dr. Danielle Weisgerber, Rosedale Clinic lead.
“But as we are facing ongoing physician shortages we have had to make some changes. We looked at when Summerland residents were accessing after hours care most and it was during the week, so we are focusing our efforts on weeknight coverage.”
To support physician recruitment efforts, Summerland physicians have been working with the District of Summerland, South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice and Interior Health towards a larger Summerland Primary Care Centre.
A larger clinic is expected to attract physicians who are looking to work in bigger team-based practices.
Summerland residents needing same-day assistance are advised to call their family physician office to see it it’s possible to book a fit-in appointment.
Patients without a family doctor are encouraged to visit the Summerland After Hours Clinic weeknights. If this is not possible, residents are encouraged to visit one of Penticton’s urgent care and walk-in centres.
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