An innovative approach to health care that appears to be working well after its first year in Markham is opening a new office.

The Markham Family Health Team cut the ribbon for a new facility, its third in Markham, at 122 Cornell Park Ave. yesterday afternoon.

The family health team concept was introduced in 2005.

It brings doctors and other healthcare providers into a group that can often offer better care, as well as evening and weekend hours and weekend walk-in clinics.

The Markham Family Health Team consists of family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, dietitians, mental health/social workers and a pharmacist.

A small administrative team helps run the operation. It currently has about 25,000 people under its care.

“Putting together this team has been a challenging and remarkable journey,” said Dr. Bill Newton, the team’s lead physician.

With a strong focus on health education, promotion and prevention, theteam also expects its approach to have a positive impact on health outcomes, particularly in the area of chronic disease prevention and management.  

The team said its first year of operation has been enormously successful.  

Patients are very satisfied, new programs have been introduced, and the team has been able to take on new patients who formerly did not have access to a primary health care provider.   

 “There is excellent data,” said Dr. Newton, calling the Markham FHT a testament to the investment made in primary care in Ontario.  

Its other locations are 377 Church St., near Markham Stouffville Hospital, which offers its after-hours and weekend service, and 381 Main St. N.

For more information, call 905-471-9999 or visit www.markhamfht.com