Have your holiday stress massaged away at Providence Healthcare | Contributed

The approach of year’s end brings with it a rush to check off wish-lists and for many, a rush to utilize the balance of their paramedical benefits — if they can get a last-minute appointment.

Scarborough residents will be pleased to learn that a nearby, trusted location provides audiology, acupuncture, and chiropractic, chiropody, and massage therapy services year-round at a reasonable cost.

“Providence Healthcare has a rich history for our in-patient rehabilitation and long-term care, but as our services grow it’s important for the community to be aware that we’ve expanded our outpatient services,” said Chiara Campitelli-Thompson, interim manager of ambulatory services and patient care manager at Providence.

While a number of Providence’s specialized clinics — including physiatry, geriatric psychiatry and a pain clinic — are available to the community with a doctor’s referral, the community is welcome to visit Providence for their fee-for-service paramedical needs. Appointments can be made by telephone and a referral is not required.

It’s little-known that the clinics are available to the public, said Campitelli-Thompson, and with Providence’s trusted reputation for quality care, it’s a service the community could be utilizing more.

Anna Marie Sneath, director of health disciplines at Providence, managed the ambulatory service areas for the past four years and noted that while the fees range depending on the type of service provided, the rates are quite competitive. She mentioned that the clinics are so convenient that many staff at Providence utilize the services themselves.

Sneath has worked at Providence for 11 years and has seen many changes over that time. The growth of the clinics is significant for both Providence and the Scarborough community, she said.

Campitelli-Thompson agrees, saying it’s an exciting time at Providence.

“We look forward to the community enjoying these services close to home.”

For more information visit providence.on.ca/programs-services/clinics-services-community or to make an appointment for a service, call 416-285-3619 ext. 5.

Jennifer Stranges is a communications adviser at Unity Health Toronto which includes Scarborough’s Providence Healthcare, a leader in providing rehabilitation, palliative care, long-term care and community programs