Nov 05, 2009 - 04:51 PM

By Keith Gilligan

DURHAM -- There simply isn't enough staff to operate an H1N1 clinic in Ajax, says the Region's top doctor.

"Traffic has been steady at all five clinics. Reallocating (staff) to a new clinic would be extremely problematic," said Dr. Robert Kyle.

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish questioned the doctor during the Regional Council meeting on Wednesday as to why there was no clinic in the community.

"Ajax is the third largest municipality. What motivated not having a clinic in Ajax?" Mayor Parish asked.

The works department locates space for clinics, Dr. Kyle said.

Vacant retail space that could be rented for four to five months would be needed, he said.

"I'm told there are very few sites in Ajax," he said, and the west Durham clinic was put in the Pickering Town Centre.

Mayor Parish asked if the Town was contacted about using a municipal site, such as the Ajax Community Centre.

"Is there any movement? There is available space in Ajax. Has there been any thought to providing a clinic in Ajax or to rotating one to Ajax?" Mayor Parish asked.

"As of today, no staff is available," Dr. Kyle said. "I hear your concern. Where we landed is the most suitable."

Ajax has a Facebook page, where some residents have been leaving messages questioning why there hasn't been a clinic in the community.

"I was just wondering why there is not an H1N1 Clinic within the Town of Ajax like there is in Whitby and Pickering? Are the people of Ajax not worthy of a Clinic as well? If there was one in Ajax, congestion and wait times within the Pickering and Whitby clinics would not be so bad - just a thought!" wrote Avesha Amjad.

"Why is there no H1N1 vaccine clinic designated in Ajax? Do you really expect Ajax citizens to go to Pickering? I think it is unfair.- Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby, and Uxbridge all have their own Clinic," stated Karem Veijalainen-Allen.

Mayor Parish sent a letter last week to Dr. Kyle and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson about there not being a clinic in Ajax. He wrote:

"I sympathize with the limitations you and your staff are facing. However, as Mayor of the Town of Ajax, it is my obligation to voice the concerns of the residents. In this case, for the health and safety of our residents, I do believe that an Ajax Clinic is appropriate and necessary to accommodate and alleviate the concerns of our community.

This, then, is a formal request to establish a clinic in Ajax at the earliest opportunity."