Thames Valley Family Health Team (TVFHT) is hosting free cancer screening pop-up clinics in St. Thomas this summer to address the healthcare needs of those without a Family Physician or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. This initiative is a key component of the Interdisciplinary Primary Care Team implementation in Elgin County and is designed to provide vital cancer screening services to women, men 50+, trans masculine individuals, and non-binary people.
The four clinics will each offer the following services:
- FIT Tests (Colorectal Cancer Screening): Information and access to tests
- Pap Tests (Cervical Cancer Screening): Onsite testing
- Mammograms (Breast Cancer Screening): Information and requisitions
“Preventative cancer screening can save lives,” says Sarah Campos, Registered Nurse and one of the screeners at the clinic. “When people don’t have access to regular primary care, these types of preventative tests are not performed and that can make cancer harder to diagnose and treat. These clinics will be an inclusive, calm, and friendly environment to receive testing or more information about being tested.”
The first clinic will be on Friday, July 26, followed by August 9, August 23, and September 6. Each clinic will be at 230 First Ave., Suite 109, St. Thomas, the new home of the Elgin Interdisciplinary Primary Care Team.
Booking is available over the phone by calling 226-726-8440 and pressing “4” to speak to the TVFHT Team Administrative Assistant.
Jill Strong, TVFHT Interim Executive Director, says these clinics are just the beginning. “There are a large number of people in Elgin who don’t have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The Interdisciplinary Primary Care Team that we’re building with partners will soon be able to support some of these community members. and reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency department.”
TVFHT would like to thank the partners whose support is making these clinics possible: East Elgin Family Health Team, Central Community Health Centre, West Elgin Community Health Centre, and Elgin Ontario Health Team.