An unexpected setback has delayed plans to open Drumheller’s first naturopathic clinic. It is now expected Hope Clinic, based out of the old St. Anthony’s School, won’t be operational until after Christmas.
Project leaders were optimistic the clinic would be open at the beginning of November after a naturopathic practitioner was hired in May.
“When we launched our intentions to open the clinic, our advisors suggested we first recruit professionals to the clinic. We went through an extensive search process. In May, we offered the opportunity to a young lady,” said Jon Ohlhauser, project leader for Hope Health Ventures.
The practitioner had to write an international accreditation exam to be officially a practioner of naturopathic medicine. Unfortunately, she missed passing the exam by a single point.
She intended to write again, but had to wait until February 2013 and wouldn’t receive her results until May.
Hope Clinic was therefore forced to delay opening and resume the search for a naturopathic practitioner.
“We’ve reopened the search. We interviewed a candidate from Toronto yesterday. We’ll see if there is a fit and if there is, we’ll probably only see a couple months delay. They would have to receive their Alberta licence. It would take about four weeks to get that,” said Ohlhauser.
Appointments had intended be taken at the beginning of October, but now will be delayed until a practitioner is officially hired.
“We put the appointments on hold until we find out officially when we’re opening the doors. As soon as we have a candidate and they’ve accepted, we’ll be opening the appointment book. That could happen in the middle of November,” said Ohlhauser.
The delay in opening the clinic is not expected to affect the proposed start of Hope College.
“It doesn’t, they’re two separate streams. Even though they have some synergy, they have different timelines. We still expect to open next fall,” said Ohlhauser.
Those wanting to partake in the new clinic’s services will have to wait a little longer.
“It was an unexpected curve ball,” said Ohlhauser. “December 1 is the best case scenario, but I would say January 1 is more realistic, because of Christmas.”
