Picton health unit office spared amid rural service review

Agreement keeps local satellite clinic open following public and municipal pushback

A planned closure of the Southeast Public Health (SEPH) satellite office in Picton has been put on hold, following community concern and a new partnership agreement that will keep services in place, for now.

© Southeast Public Health

At its December 17 meeting in Kingston, the SEPH Board voted to maintain satellite offices in smaller and rural communities across the region. The decision includes keeping the Picton location at 35 Bridge Street operational, with a formal review of the approach scheduled for September 2026.

Proposed closures sparked regional concern

The Picton office had been slated for closure as part of a broader consolidation plan announced earlier this fall.

Medical Officer of Health and CEO Dr. Pitor Oglaza had proposed ending leases for offices located within 50 kilometres of larger regional hubs, including Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, and Smiths Falls. Picton was among the communities identified for closure, with services expected to be centralized in nearby urban locations.

The plan quickly drew criticism from municipal leaders and community organizations across Eastern Ontario, who argued that reducing rural access would create barriers for residents who rely on local services.

Local health leaders warn of service gaps

In Prince Edward County, concerns were raised about the potential impact on preventative care and early intervention programs.

Barinder Gill, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Family Health Team (PEFHT), emphasized the importance of maintaining local public health services.

“These programs form the backbone of prevention and early intervention, helping to keep people well and reducing pressures on hospitals, primary care, and emergency services,” Gill said.

He also noted that losing local access would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including seniors, families without reliable transportation, and individuals facing complex health challenges.

Partnership agreement keeps services in Picton

The decision to keep the Picton office open is tied to a newly signed agreement between SEPH and the PEFHT.

Under the arrangement, SEPH will continue to operate out of clinical space at 35 Bridge Street. The facility will also support vaccination clinics in the boardroom and provide space for well water sampling programs at no cost.

Councillor Bill Roberts, who also serves on the SEPH Board, welcomed the outcome and credited strong advocacy efforts from rural communities.

“I’m pleased to see that Prince Edward County, and Eastern Ontario rural interests overall, were taken very seriously by the SEPH Board of Directors,” Roberts said.

He described the agreement as a practical example of how collaboration can lead to better outcomes.

Shift toward new service delivery model

While the immediate closure has been avoided, SEPH is continuing to evaluate how services are delivered across the region.

According to Dr. Oglaza, a post-amalgamation review found that some rural offices were underused and not operating at full capacity. Maintaining leases in smaller communities currently costs approximately $550,000 annually.

The organization is now exploring a model focused less on physical locations and more on flexible, community-based service delivery.

This approach is guided by several principles, including meeting clients where they are, relying on evidence-based programming, and ensuring responsible use of resources.

Next review set for 2026

The SEPH Board will revisit the future of rural satellite offices in September 2026, following further analysis of service delivery outcomes and community needs.

In the meantime, Picton’s office remains open offering a temporary but meaningful reprieve for residents who depend on local access to public health services.

Takeaway

The Picton health unit office has been given a temporary lifeline through local partnership and regional advocacy. While the long-term future of rural public health offices remains uncertain, the decision shows that community pressure and collaboration can influence how essential services are delivered.