Social worker Clare Peddle is already singing the praises of the newly established Urban Family Health Team (UFHT), which operates out of a new facility on Roncesvalles Avenue just north of Queen Street West.
"It's much more patient focused," said Peddle, at an official opening held Monday afternoon. "The team is more collaborative. You can work with people on an ongoing basis."
The UFHT, launched by the Ministry of Health in partnership with St. Joseph Health Centre, complements the services already offered at the hospital's Family Medicine Centre. The addition of the inter-professional team, which includes family physicians, a nurse practitioner and registered nurses along with a dietitian, pharmacist and patient education specialist, will improve the quality of chronic disease management programs. It will focus on health promotion and disease prevention programs.
The UFHT will also offer patient education programs, enhanced home visit services to frail, elderly and palliative care patients, improved service co-ordination and referral, case management and specialized access to pharmacist services.
One of its key roles is the training and development of the next generation of primary care professionals.
"This is a shining example of clinical and educational innovation," said Dr. Lynn Wilson, chair of the Family Medicine program at the University of Toronto, who was a catalyst for the entire project.
Peddle, who sees a wide variety of clientele, treats anxiety and depression and provides palliative patient care and refugee services, said the area is a "really needy one".
"The clientele are limited in their resources, family and friends. They rely on you to navigate them through the system," Peddle said.
Forty-seven-year-old Mary Higgins was thrilled when she learned about the UFHT. She has been a patient at St. Joe's Family Medicine Clinic for eight years. The UFHT helped her cope with the death of her father.
"When I heard about this I was excited. You've got all the components of a medical model, but in one area. You can get all your needs met in one day. It's very helpful.
St. Joseph's Urban Family Health Team is at 27 Roncesvalles Ave. (at the corner of Roncesvalles and Grafton avenues). Its hours of operation are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.