For two years a committee has been working to find solutions for an old, out-of-date and short on space medical clinic in Nanton.

The group met over the summer with Health Minister Sarah Hoffman in their quest to find a solution.

They need to add on 1500 square feet to make the present building work, but the question is, is it worth it?

Mayor Rick Everett says the current building is short on space for doctors.

"We are trying to either build a new clinic or expand the current clinic," said Everett. "The reason for that is we need more space for our physicians to work in."

Right now doctors only have one exam room each, whereas most clinics have two exam rooms plus an office for each doctor.

The problems also include wheelchair access, tiny exam rooms and if someone comes in with the flu or a cold the rooms have to be left empty for up to 20 minutes between patients so the air is completely exchanged.

"We also have a lot of senior citizens, sometimes when they have a meeting with the physicians the couple themselves like to sit and talk to the doctor. Well that is very tight if you can imagine three people in some of these rooms."

The problem is trying to decide if a new building should go up or if they should add on 1500 square feet which is what studies show they need.

On one hand adding that much on to an older building might not be financially sound as 15 years from now the life span of the older portion might be finished.

On the other hand Everett says putting together a new building to Alberta Health Services standards is expensive.

"We could build a building for the physicians to work in, as an example and I am not quoting a specific number for lets say a million dollars. If you want that to meet the AHS standards to have those folks continue to work the way they do now, you are probably two-and-a-half to three times that amount."

Right now the Nanton Medical Clinic offers a full slate of services including home care, a lab and public health nurses and nurse practitioners which is the model the province wants clinics to work towards offering.

The committee has invited Hoffman to come and tour the facility.

The Town of Nanton, the Mosquito Creek Foundation and the MDs of Ranchland and Willow Creek are all part of the committee working on the problem.

 

If you see something we should know about e-mail us at news@highriveronline.com