The ward and offices are closed from Friday, August 27 to allow relocation from the second floor of Tower C, which has been a ward and home for doctors for the past 13 years.

said Dr. Richard Johnson, chief medical officer and director of the residency program, who trained on the ward as a resident between 2012 and 2014.

As a tenant at PRH, Johnson said he and his team are excited to occupy a new, modern space that will provide a better patient experience and allow the practice to expand to better serve the needs of unrelated patients in the area.

This fall, two physicians, eight physicians in all, two physician assistants, six resident physicians and one visiting medical student will join the group, with additional opportunities for further development in the future.

Despite the growth, Johnson said the practice would not directly accept new patients. Instead, people who need a GP must register online with Health Care Connect (Ontario.ca/healthcareconnect).

Existing patients have been advised of the move, and with limited parking in Tower D, they must park in the Deacon Street car park upon arrival to make an appointment, unless they have mobility issues. If this is the case, they will be asked to consider having someone drop them off at the entrance to Tower D and then head to Deacon Street. If they are driving, they can stay in Tower D area. Patients were also told that although the office address had changed, the phone number had not.

Since opening in 2008, the Pembroke Family Medicine Teaching Unit is home to 26 residents, each of whom have completed a two-year internship, the last of which is expected to end in 2022 and 2023. It is currently practiced in Renfrew County.