Those without a physician in town, or in need of seeing one urgently, will have a new option starting Monday, July 29, when Powell River Medical Clinic opens its doors.
“It’s going to be the first clinic in Powell River that combines family medicine and a walk-in clinic, which is so needed here in the community,” said Dr. Alexander Marchenko.
He is opening the clinic together with his wife, Dr. Diana Gil. Both doctors worked at Marine Medical Clinic and will be taking their existing practices with them. For the time being, the doctors will be seeing new patients on a walk-in basis only and not accepting new full-time patients, although this may change in the future.
“For those who already have a family physician but can’t see them, they can always see us on a walk-in basis,” said Marchenko.
A third doctor will join the clinic likely next summer and there is capacity for up to four physicians in the space, he added.
Gil and Marchenko recently moved to the community and immediately saw a need for such a service.
“We were a bit surprised when we moved to Powell River eight months ago to see there was no walk-in clinic,” said Marchenko, “so many patients unfortunately need to wait long hours to get a prescription.”
Starting in December, the clinic will offer online booking and provide hourly updates on clinic wait times.
“We are trying to make a patient-friendly office in terms of convenience,” said Marchenko.
For more information, go to powellriverclinic.ca.
Dr. Dohm at Marine Medical Clinic will continue to offer walk-in service on Thursday afternoons.
