RAINY RIVER – This small town near the Minnesota border will still have a health-care clinic after Nov. 30.
The Rainy River Medical Clinic will close on the last day of November, and the Rainy River Clinic will replace it on Dec. 1 at the same address on Fourth Street.
The new clinic “will support ongoing physician, primary care and hospital services for the residents in the west end of the Rainy River District,” said a news release issued Monday.
Establishment of the Rainy River Clinic addresses a challenge that arose in late August when the three physicians practising in the town all announced that they would be withdrawing their services at the clinic and Rainy River’s hospital.
A locum physician – a temporary doctor from outside the district – will be on hand when the new clinic opens, Rainy River Mayor Deborah Ewald said Monday.
The town and Riverside Health Care, which operates the hospital in Rainy River, have been “actively recruiting” physicians and “our optimal goal is to get permanent doctors that will move into the community,” Ewald said.
Ewald said the new clinic was made possible through collaboration between the Town of Rainy River, Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre and Riverside Health Care.
Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre is an Indigenous-controlled primary care agency based in Fort Frances.
Riverside Health Care operates Rainy River Health Centre, La Verendrye General Hospital, Emo Health Centre and other facilities in the district.
Engagement with the Rainy River Medical Clinic is ongoing to ensure the smooth transition of all current clinic patients to the new clinic, said the news release.
“The Town of Rainy River is pleased with this new collaboration that ensures continued hospital and clinic services for our residents,” Ewald said.
