PRHC Opens Barrier-Free Downtown Clinic For Patients With Opioid And Alcohol Addictions

Peterborough Regional Heath Centre (PRHC) has opened the area’s first Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic, which provides expedited, barrier-free treatment for patients who are addicted to alcohol or opioids.
 
The downtown clinic (159 King St., Suite 302) is staffed by PRHC physicians and registered nurses (RNs). No booked appointment or physician referral is necessary, although referrals from doctors, nurses, social workers, addiction counselors and community providers are welcome.

“Our Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic provides immediate access to lifesaving treatment by offering same-day counselling and addiction medication, and prescription therapies,” says Dr. Jim McGorman, an Emergency Department physician with PRHC who is now also treating patients at the new clinic.

“This care model has been shown to help save lives by engaging patients with both short- and long-term therapies as soon as they are ready to pursue those treatments," Dr. McGorman adds.

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine model is designed to initiate therapy for opioid or alcohol addiction and then triage clients to the most appropriate ongoing care provider. It is not intended to replace or duplicate the care provided by a family physician or a treatment clinic. 
 
The RAAM clinic has been operating in its downtown location at 159 King St. Suite 302 (co-located with PARN) since March 5th. It is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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