Inside Ottawa Valley published an article on September 24, 2023
Women aged 21 to 70 in the Ottawa Valley now have more dedicated options to prioritize their health.
Several primary care organizations, with the support of the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team (OVOHT) and Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC), are offering a broadening of Pap clinics and comprehensive well-woman services. This initiative is specifically tailored for individuals who haven’t undergone a Pap test in the last three years and currently lack a family doctor, addressing the pressing need for preventive cancer screening.
“As a registered nurse who sees some of these women, I could not have foreseen how much our area needed this clinic,” says Jennifer Schoof, an RN at the Pembroke Pap Clinic.
Our Pap clinics will be conveniently situated across various locations, including Arnprior, Barry’s Bay, Beachburg, Cobden, Deep River, Eganville, Pembroke, Petawawa and Renfrew.
Several community health organizations, including Arnprior and District Family Health Team, North Renfrew Family Health Team and West Champlain Family Health Team, have come together to provide these clinics to individuals who currently do not have regular access to a primary care physician or nurse practitioner.
“The women express how thankful they are to have the clinic, many saying it’s been years since they have received their Pap test,” adds Schoof. “Working with these women, I can really feel their gratitude and relief for this important service!”
To register for the clinics, potential attendees can visit http://www.rcvtac.ca/paptest or call the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) at 1-844-727-6404. All Pap tests are completely covered by OHIP, ensuring no financial barriers to access.
These clinics are designed for those without a family doctor. While results will be shared, patients will not be added to a family doctor’s roster of patients.
About OVOHT
The Ottawa Valley OHT is a partnership of more than 50 health and social service organizations (or agencies), including hospitals, primary care providers and home and community care providers. These organizations saw a need and have purposefully decided to come together and work towards more coordinated services and support to meet the health needs of those in our region.
For further information, please contact: Susan Farrar, executive director, Madawaska Valley Family Health Team: sfarrar@madawaskavalleyfht.com; Hance Colburne, communications and engagement lead, OVOHT: hcolburne@ovoht.ca