Brunswick Medical

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

West Islanders can get some relief from the critical shortage of West Island healthcare following the closure of Statcare. Brunswick Medical has taken on twelve new physicians as a direct result of the desperate needs of former Statcare patients.

The expansion marks a significant shift in local healthcare services since Statcare’s closure on December 31. Located just three kilometres from the former Statcare site, Brunswick Medical is positioned to fill a crucial gap in urgent care services.

“We are pleased to confirm that patients who relied on Statcare for their urgent needs can now access care at Brunswick Medical,” spokesperson Jonathan Prunier said.

The transition comes at a pivotal time for West Island residents, who had expressed concerns about a potential strain on Lakeshore General Hospital’s resources. Brunswick Medical’s enhanced capacity directly addresses these worries, offering a solution for those seeking urgent care services.

Both facilities operated under the ELNA Medical Group banner, which has integrated the transfer of services. ELNA is now under bankruptcy protection. The additional medical staff at Brunswick means former Statcare patients can continue receiving care without interruption, just at a different address.

For West Island residents, the change represents a straightforward swap: same network, different location, more doctors. Brunswick Medical continues to offer walk-in services.

This latest development in West Island healthcare follows the opening of the Lakeshore General Hospital’s new Family Medicine Unit. Unveiled with support from McGill University’s Department of Family Medicine, this unit aims to enhance primary care access and improve patient outcomes in the region. Both initiatives are part of a broader effort to bolster healthcare services across the West Island, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive medical care close to home. n