Final Day For Walk-In Clinic

Today is the final day patients will be able to use Vernon’s oldest walk-in clinic.

The Gartree Clinic in the Vernon Square Mall has been operating for more than 25 years.

“We still have a week of packing up, but Friday is the last day of patients,” says office manager Nancy Spiers.

The closure was announced back in January, with a doctor shortage cited as the reason.

The facility went from having three physicians last year, to just Dr. William Fair.

Spiers says Dr. Fair sees an average of 40 to 50 patients a day, during their hours of 8 am to 1 pm, which were cut back in January 2016.

It leaves Vernon with two walk-in clinics, one at the Sterling Centre on 25th Avenue, and the North Okanagan Medical Clinic at the Real Canadian Superstore.