The Municipality of Whitestone, west of Sundridge, is ngetting a government grant of $500,000 to renovate and expand the Whitestone and Area Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.
"The expansion will allow frontline staff to provide care to more patients from the surrounding area, when and where they need it," says a news release. "This funding will create jobs, maintain community infrastructure and improve quality of life in northern communities."
“The clinic is an essential part of the community and these upgrades will support the health and wellbeing of Whitestone residents, cottagers, and the surrounding region," said Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. "This expansion will increase the clinic’s capacity to serve the community, with additional rooms for patients and increased space to address infection control if necessary.”
The funding will be used to double the facility’s square footage, allowing for the addition of three new patient care rooms, a larger reception and waiting area, a full kitchen, a boardroom and private office, storage for medications and other supplies, and a suite for visiting nurse practitioners or students on a short-term rotation.
“We appreciate the assistance of the Ontario government in upgrading this important community asset, which serves residents of Whitestone, McKellar, Magnetawan and beyond with many important health care services," said George Comrie, Mayor of the Municipality of Whitestone. "The expansion will provide the needed physical capacity to accommodate its growing staff of health care professionals and roster of patients.”