Malton Update

Malton CHC Satellite

A new satellite centre, being planned for Malton will be a branch of the Bramalea CHC but programs and services will be carefuly planned to ensure they meet the specific needs of people living in Malton.

The satellite is scheduled to open sometime in the next 18 months. A steering committee made up of local residents is now following through on recommendations that emerged from an extensive community engagement process conducted between August and December of last year.

The engagement process was designed to ensure the new satellite delivers the most appropriate and relevant services and programs to the local community. It was conducted by the Association of Ontario Health Centres (www.aohc.org) who gathered the knowledge, expertise and perspectives of Malton's residents, service providers, community groups, and leaders. In total, 404 people participated in the community engagement process, including 309 community members and 56 service providers.

Special care was taken to design an inclusive process that allowed for a number of diverse opinions to be gathered, especially from those who sometimes face barriers having their voices heard.

During one-on-one interviews, on-line surveys, focus groups and forums, participants identified the following needs that must be taken into account as planning for the new Malton CHC proceeds. The following issues emerged:

Access to primary health care serices (including populations without health insurance)
Lack of information about what primary healthcare services are currently available in Malton
Linguistically and culturally-appropriate health and social services that respect/integrate the faith of clients
Increased access to specialists
Dental services for adults
24/7 service; extended hours

With respect to the delivery of social services and community capacity building activities, participants identified the following gaps that must be addressed:

Affordable childcare
Food security programs: community kitchen; secure and increased funding for local food banks; provision of culturally and spiritually-appropriate food at food banks; hot meals-on-wheels for house-bound residents
Affordable housing
Free or affordable recreational programs that are: flexible, gender-specific, engage the entire family, occur outside of Malton (day trips)
Affordable and accessible transportation
Youth-specific programs: drop-in, engagement, employment, volunteer opportunities, outreach

Populations identified as facing significant barriers to accessing primary health care included:

Immigrants
Youth
Seniors
Individuals and families living in poverty: single-parent families, individuals with mental health issues; disabilities, across the lifespan

All of the above priorities and concerns will be taken into account as the design of programs and services continues over the next few months.

Where will the new centre be located?

Last, but not least, recommendations concerning the location of the new CHC also emerged from the community engagement process. It has been decided that the new site should be located:

in a safe, physically accessible building with free parking and easy access to public transportation;
in and around the following intersections (in order of priority):
- Morning Star Drive and Etude Drive (Westwood Mall)
- Morning Star Drive and Goreway Drive (Malton Community Centre, Library and Pool)
- Beverley Street and Airport Road (former Our Lady of the Airways Catholic School, Malton Village Park)
- Derry Road East and Goreway Drive (Malton Arena)
- Brandon Gate Drive and Goreway Drive (St. Gabriel's Adult Learning Centre and Northwood Park)

A search for a location is now underway by the staff of BCHC and steering committee members.

For more information about the new Malton CHC or to see the community engagement report, please visit www.mymalton.ca

Please visit our Malton CHC Facebook page here.

Bramalea Community Health Centre
40 Finchgate Blvd, Suite 224
Brampton, ON L6T 3J1
T. 905.451.6959
F. 905.451.5217

Mon, Wed, Thu: 8am to 8pm
Tues: 1pm to 8pm
Fri: 8am to 4pm
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed