New ophthalmology clinic in Timmins to offer extended vision care to patients
A new ophthalmology clinic in Timmins has opened.
The clinic is a result of a team effort with many partners collaborating to make it happen. It's located in the medical office building next to the Timmins and District Hospital on Ross Avenue.
Dr. Alejandro Oliver pitched the idea to the hospital and its foundation – now several months later, a turnkey office is equipped with the staff and machines necessary to diagnose eye disorders and diseases.
One ophthalmologist from Ottawa has already offered to work there one week out of every month so she can also visit her new grandbaby at the same time who just so happens to live in Timmins.
“It’s real pathology that needs desperate care," said Dr. Marie Louise Lapointe.
"It’s not like in Ottawa where there’s a lot of ophthalmologists. So it’s (a) very interesting practice and a lot of...grateful patients," she said.
“Even if it’s a small procedure with a laser I can’t do it," said Oliver.
"So having Dr. Lapointe here is tremendous; all of our local referring doctors are extremely excited to offer this to their patients so it’s going to be a real game changer for the community."
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Dr. Doug Arnold is the chief of staff at the Timmins and District Hospital. He said an ophthalmologist would traditionally be responsible for purchasing all their own equipment – but with proceeds from the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation's 50/50 draw in December to pay for equipment along with additional funding from the province for renovations and other expenses, the new initiative will help many people get the care they need closer to home.
“It would be fantastic if we ended up with a full-time ophthalmologist to provide care, but that’s probably not still meeting the needs of Timmins,” said Arnold.
“So we need to continue looking at ways to expand … this is a great first step."
Dr. Lapointe and Dr. Oliver show some of the equipment purchased for the state-of-the-art ophthalmology locum clinic opened in Timmins. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)Now, officials said the search is on for someone who can perform cataract surgery
“Patients that require cataract surgery require extremely precise measurements – we bought that equipment for future surgeries," said Oliver.
"All that is here and ready for those who’d like to visit us.”
Arnold said this is the first time the hospital has created a locum clinic like this and it'll consider the concept to expand other areas of patient care in similar fashions in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince Harry gets his day in court against tabloids he accuses of blighting his life
Prince Harry entered a courtroom witness box Tuesday, swearing to tell the truth in testimony against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping.
Ukraine accuses Russia of destroying major dam near Kherson, warns of ecological disaster
The wall of a major dam in a part of southern Ukraine that Moscow controls collapsed Tuesday after a reported explosion, sending water gushing downriver and prompting dire warnings of ecological disaster as officials from both sides in the war ordered residents to evacuate.
Here's what Quebec's wildfires look like from outer space
A photo taken from NASA show what the wildfires burning in Quebec look like from up above.
Canada's housing market sees largest improvement in affordability in four years: National Bank
Canada’s housing market saw the largest improvement in affordability in nearly four years in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report from economists at the National Bank of Canada.
Torontonians making more than $236K need to save for about 25 years to buy a house in the city: report
It will take Torontonians who make over $236,000 per year about 25 years to save for a down payment on a house, according to a new housing affordability report. But, the report also notes the real estate market is seeing improvement in affordability.
Multiple investigations underway after B.C. woman’s suspicious death in Australia
Police in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who used to live in Surrey, BC, after her body was found in her apartment on the outskirts of Sydney.
Ontario could be at risk of energy shortfall this summer, report finds
Ontario could be at risk of energy shortfalls this summer if heat waves continue to strike, according to a report by a North American electricity regulator.
Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag
While some natural disasters or bouts of extreme weather may require sheltering in place until authorities can restore power to the area, others require residents to evacuate quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours — and if you want to be prepared, you should create a grab-and-go bag.
Poor air quality, evacuations in multiple provinces due to wildfires
Wildfire smoke prompted warnings about poor air quality for many regions across the country, stretching from northern Alberta to the Atlantic.
Barrie
-
17-year-old boy injured in motorcycle crash lay in ditch for hours near Elmvale
A motorcycle driver is in serious condition after an early Monday morning crash in Phelpston.
-
New 2,000-home Innisfil development comes with affordable, leased land properties
Over the next decade, more than 2,000 new mixed town and detached homes will be built at the Mattamy Homes Lakehaven development.
-
Mystery urn reunited with family
The mystery behind an urn found in the front lawn of a Barrie home has been solved.
Toronto
-
Leading mayoral hopefuls to push for votes in CBC Toronto debate as byelection nears
The six leading candidates in Toronto's mayoral race are set to have another debate this morning, before advance voting opens on Thursday.
-
Widow whose husband was killed by a speeding OPP officer told misconduct was 'not serious'
A grieving widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding OPP officer can’t believe the force told her it won’t hold a public hearing into the case because it decided the misconduct was 'not serious.'
-
Correctional Service of Canada releases statement on Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison
The Correctional Service of Canada has released a statement about serial killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to a medium-security prison.
Ottawa
-
Evacuation notice extended for residents as forest fire burns near Calabogie, Ont.
Officials are asking people living around Centennial Lake to evacuate their homes as a forest fire burns in the area west of Calabogie, Ont. An evacuation order has been extended to Wednesday afternoon.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Capital Pride gets federal money for security
Capital Pride will be receiving money from the federal government to cover costs of added security measures at this year's Pride parade and other events.
-
AIR QUALITY STATEMENT
AIR QUALITY STATEMENT | Hazy conditions in Ottawa as wildfire smoke blows across the capital
A haze blanketed the sky Monday in Ottawa as smoke from Quebec wildfires blew across the city.
Kitchener
-
'Such outcomes are unspeakable': Fatal fire in Waterloo under investigation
Flames and smoke could be seen shooting out of a home on Graham Street in Waterloo shortly after midnight on Monday, creating a scene that firefighters say was intense before they arrived.
-
Police are warning people with this model of car to take extra precautions
It comes amid what police say is a growing number of thefts targeting the model.
-
Developers turning downtown Kitchener office building into 91 rental units
For the first time in the City of Kitchener, a downtown office high-rise is being converted into rental units.
London
-
Muslim community seeks healing and safety amid lingering shadows of alleged terrorist attack
On this day in 2021, four out of five members of a London, Ont. family were killed while they were out for a walk and struck by a vehicle, in an apparently deliberate attack.
-
‘Neighbours are paying the price’: Lithium battery pack leads to fire on Base Line Road
CTV cameras captured the moment London, Ont. firefighters discovered a sparking lithium battery pack in a charred apartment at 122 Base Line Rd. W. Sunday.
-
Testimony of drug use highlights impaired driving causing death trial
There was emotional testimony on Monday from the husband of the woman killed in a crash in south London, Ont. almost four years ago. Paul Kay testified about the last moments in the life of his 68-year-old wife, Penny.
Windsor
-
Muslim community seeks healing and safety amid lingering shadows of alleged terrorist attack
On this day in 2021, four out of five members of a London, Ont. family were killed while they were out for a walk and struck by a vehicle, in an apparently deliberate attack.
-
Windsor police seek suspect in sexual assault involving youth
Windsor police are looking to identify a suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl and stole from her at a Walkerville park Saturday night.
-
LaSalle woman allegedly scams families out of thousands in rental house fraud
A 43-year-old LaSalle woman has been arrested in connection to a home rental scam.
Montreal
-
Montreal organized crime figure Francesco Del Balso killed in daylight shooting
A 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the Montreal suburb of Dorval on Monday afternoon. A source told CTV News that the victim is Francesco Del Balso, who has links to Montreal's Mafia.
-
Inflation hasn't reduced Quebecers' desire to fly: survey
Although inflation is set to influence the behaviour of Quebec holidaymakers, just as many of them want to get on a plane as before the pandemic, according to a CAA-Quebec survey.
-
Montreal arson squad investigating downtown early morning fire
A licensed establishment in downtown Montreal was heavily damaged by an apparent arson attack early on Tuesday morning. Montreal police (SPVM) reported no injuries a few hours later, and no one was arrested.
Atlantic
-
Weather conditions ground aircraft covering Shelburne County wildfire
Crews fighting an out-of-control wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia are trying to determine what impact weekend rain had on their efforts.
-
Help available to Nova Scotians impacted by wildfires
Nova Scotia organizations, small businesses and individuals are offering support to those who have been evacuated or who have lost homes due to the numerous wildfires across the province.
-
N.S. government to contact people impacted by cybersecurity breach
Nova Scotia’s government and cybersecurity experts are working to get to the bottom of a breach that still isn't fully understood.
Winnipeg
-
Ukrainian woman in Winnipeg trying to bring remains of fallen husband home
A Ukrainian woman who now lives in Winnipeg is hoping one day she will be able to bring her husband's remains to her new home, a place he hoped one day he too would be able to call home.
-
-
Winnipeg bridge construction project cost increasing
The price tag for the St. Vital Bridge project is going up.
Calgary
-
'I was really, really scared': Calgary kabab restaurant out thousands of dollars after break-and-enter
A restaurant in Calgary's Hillhurst neighbourhood is out thousands of dollars after it was broken into over the weekend.
-
UCP lost by 25 votes in Calgary-Acadia, 42 in Calgary-Glenmore
CTV News has learned the results of the provincial election recount in Calgary-Acadia confirm an NDP win, though it was 25 votes, not seven.
-
19-month-old suffers dog bites to the face in Sage Hill attack
Calgary EMS say a toddler was taken to hospital on Monday after being attacked by a dog.
Edmonton
-
Why experts agree Edmontonians should report non-criminal 'hate incidents' to police
Edmonton police launched a new tool Monday to encourage reports of "hate incidents," something officers believe will help them track people who may escalate to "hate crimes."
-
Caught on camera: 2 try to steal ATM from northern Alberta bank
Mounties in the town of McLennan, Alta. are hoping members of the public can help them identify two men who tried to steal a bank machine from the local ATB Financial.
-
Alberta wildfire evacuee thanks man who saved him when he was choking on water
A man from Drayton Valley, Alta. is publicly thanking a swimming instructor who helped him when he was choking on water at a hotel pool.
Vancouver
-
'When, not if': British Columbians warned to prepare for wildfire evacuations
The provincial wildfire service is warning British Columbians to have a go-bag and make an evacuation plan with this year's wildfire season off to an alarming start.
-
How could a Bank of Canada rate hike impact B.C.’s housing market?
Real estate experts say B.C.’s housing market is heating back after cooling off due to rising interest rates but the future is uncertain as several economists expect the Bank of Canada to hike rates again.
-
Multiple investigations underway after B.C. woman’s suspicious death in Australia
Police in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who used to live in Surrey, BC, after her body was found in her apartment on the outskirts of Sydney.