A new initiative at Morden's Agassiz Medical Centre will greatly reduce the wait time for patients needing minor procedures, not requiring sedation.  This is thanks to the creation of a procedure room.

Staff officially began utilizing the new space November 16th.  

Clinic Manager Karen Chezick said she expects the procedure room will be used a lot.  "One of the reasons we actually got started with this venture is the number of

The new procedure room has officially been in use since last Wednesdayprocedures we were doing, and the squeeze on space at Boundary Trails Hospital.  It's difficult to find space and time at Boundary Trails, so we know it's going to be a well utilized service."

Chezick said the procedure room will be a great asset for both physicians and patients of the clinic, and offer a welcomed level of convenience.  "For one thing patients no longer will necessarily have to go to Boundary Trails.  Physicians will have the ability to come in and do a quick procedure before they start clinic in the morning, or if something pops up during their day that requires a very quick procedure, and nobody is using the room, they can do it right there."

Chezick added for any of the clinic's physicians that have chosen not to have privileges at Boundary Trails, having this space gives them the ability to do procedures.

As for staffing, Chezick notes at this time the initiative hasn't required any additional staff.  "We have added some responsibilities to a current position within our nursing department, but at this time we're going to start without any additional staff."  As time goes on, and depending on how busy they are, the staff situation related to the procedure room may need to be revisited, added Chezick.

The procedure room was previously an office space, and Chezick said they were fortunate to receive some grants, including one from Morden Game and Fish.  She notes they purchased portable equipment for the room in the event they need to move to a different space down the road, within the clinic facility.