Timmins and District Hospital and the University of Toronto’s Kensington Eye Institute have inked a partnership to keep people in the region closer to home for treatment of eye diseases and cataract surgery.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Alejandro Oliver says as of Monday, ophthalmology teachers and senior university residents will start seeing patients in Timmins at the new locum clinic for one week a month.
“And during that week they will be meeting patients discussing the appropriateness and possible benefits of cataract surgery and making arrangements for that surgery to be done here in Timmins,” he said.
Oliver says his current wait list is long forcing people to go out of town including as far away as the Greater Toronto Area.
“We are definitely going to see a decrease in the number of patients to travel down south,” he said. “It’s not going to disappear the wait list. But it’s definitely going to improve and it will have a positive impact on patient lives.”
Oliver says it’s an opportunity to showcase the program to the Toronto doctors and also what the north has to offer. He hopes it gives the residents the incentive to relocate in the future.
“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with the University of
Toronto’s Kensington Eye Institute,” shares Kate Fyfe, President and CEO of the
Timmins and District Hospital. “The North continues to demonstrate that, through
innovation, we can enhance and improve the patient experience as we build a
strong health system. I hope that you join us in sharing a warm welcome to the
faculty Ophthalmologists and residents joining our care team!”