Access to proper medical attention and care is critical for anyone’s health. For the residents of Willmot, it has made a monumental difference to the entire community.
After noticing the lack of medical services available for families in the area, the Willmot Community Hub began advocating strongly to have a nurse and paediatric clinic under its own roof. Wait times to get these assessments in and around Willmot are up to three years, meaning children already struggling slip further through the cracks.
“This is an issue that affects kids’ abilities to function throughout the day — to sleep, have access to medication, their schooling. Without proper access to medical care, the whole family structure gets affected. When they get the right assessment, the right diagnosis and the right treatment, it benefits the whole family,” says Delander.
The clinic quickly started helping children access supports like getting a learning support officer at school or help to sleep better at night.
“I cannot express how much of an impact it is to the members of a community who are having to deal with loans to get winter clothing for their children and who can’t afford a $2,500 assessment that their child needs,” reflects Delander.
