The County of Renfrew is fighting to keep the virtual triage and assessment (VTAC). During the health committee meeting this afternoon (August 12th, 2020) Warden Debbie Robinson highlighted the fact that 24,000 local residents do not have family physicians. Robinson says with three more doctors planning to retire by the end of the year that number will grow to over 30,000.
Concerns were raised at the health committee meeting that the county might lose the VTAC service since the province is looking at how assessment centres are funded.
A resolution will be sent to county council at the end of the month (August 26th, 2020) asking for all local municipalities, including the City of Pembroke and Township of South Algonquin to support and advocate for the VTAC.
The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect residents with a primary care physician and help reduce the number of people waiting in Emergency Rooms at hospitals.
As of Sunday (August 9th, 2020) over 12,500 assessments had been completed using the VTAC service.
If you do not have a primary care provider or cannot access your primary care provider you can RC VTAC at 1-844-727-6404. You can also get more information online here.
It’s official. We have almost 24,000 people without a family doctor in Renfrew County. Population 107,000. Health care crisis. RC VTAC can help. @PaulMoreau19 @PeterEmon1 @RenfrewCounty @JYakabuskiMPP @DrFitzsimon @donohueranch @ChiefMNolan @celliottability @fordnation
— Debbie Robinson (@DebbieR83598868) August 12, 2020
As of August 9th, 8,740 drive-thru #COVID19 tests were completed for residents in #RenfrewCounty and #SouthAlgonquin. The pop-up clinics continue and the current schedule is available at https://t.co/8zSYW4iMyW. Pre-register by calling 1-844-727-6404. pic.twitter.com/zkLlRBEw8C
— Renfrew County Virtual Triage & Assessment Centre (@rcvtac) August 12, 2020
You can watch the full health committee meeting online here: