I pull into Montague on a crisp fall morning, the Montague River reflecting clouds that promise rain later. The town’s main street is quiet except for a small gathering outside a newly renovated building where a simple sign reads “Eastern PEI Walk-In Clinic.” Several residents have arrived early, well before the 9 a.m. opening time.
“I’ve been waiting three years for a family doctor,” tells me Margaret Steele, a 67-year-old resident who’s been managing her diabetes through sporadic emergency room visits and telehealth appointments. “When I heard about this clinic opening, I almost cried.”
After years of healthcare shortages in eastern Prince Edward Island, the new walk-in clinic that opened its doors yesterday represents more than just a medical facility—it’s a lifeline for many in this rural community of about 2,000 people.
Dr. Sarah Collins, one of three physicians who will rotate through the clinic, greets patients with a warmth that suggests she understands exactly what this moment means. “The need here is immense,” she says, gesturing to the already-filling waiting room. “People have been managing serious health conditions without consistent care for too long.”
According to Health PEI, approximately 28,000 Islanders—nearly 17% of the population—currently lack a family physician. In eastern regions like Kings County, that percentage climbs even higher, with some estimates suggesting one in four residents have no regular primary care provider.
The strain has fallen heavily on Montague’s hospital emergency department, which wasn’t designed to handle routine care. Nurse Janice MacPherson, who’s worked at Kings County Memorial Hospital for 18 years, tells me they’ve seen a 40% increase in non-emergency visits over the past five years.
“People come in with prescription renewals, minor infections, or chronic conditions that really should be managed in a primary care setting,” MacPherson explains during her break. “It means longer wait times for everyone and exhausted staff.”
The new clinic, funded through a provincial-federal healthcare agreement that earmarked $8.7 million specifically for improving rural healthcare access across PEI, will operate five days a week. In addition to the rotating physicians, it employs two nurse practitioners, a registered nurse, and administrative staff.
Town councillor David McInnis has championed the clinic for years, writing countless letters to provincial health officials and organizing community meetings. “This didn’t happen overnight,” he tells me as we walk through the facility’s four examination rooms and small laboratory space. “It took residents speaking up and refusing to accept that rural healthcare just naturally means inferior healthcare.”
The story of Montague’s healthcare struggles echoes across rural Canada. A 2023 Canadian Medical Association report found that rural communities face disproportionate challenges in healthcare access, with an estimated 5.7 million rural Canadians experiencing significant barriers to primary care.
“We know that when people have regular primary care, health outcomes improve dramatically and system costs actually decrease,” explains Dr. Collins. “Preventative care and early intervention keep people healthier and out of emergency rooms.”
The clinic’s opening comes after Statistics Canada data revealed PEI had some of the longest wait times for primary care in the country, with residents waiting an average of 21.5 days to see their family doctor—for those fortunate enough to have one.
For Lucy Chen, a young mother who recently moved to the area with her husband and two children, the clinic means peace of mind. “When my four-year-old spiked a fever last month, our only option was driving 45 minutes to Charlottetown’s emergency room, where we waited six hours,” she recalls, bouncing her youngest on her hip. “Having care close to home changes everything for families like ours.”
Inside the clinic, the atmosphere balances efficiency with warmth. Walls are painted a soft blue, local artwork hangs in the waiting area, and a children’s corner features donated books and toys. It feels purposefully designed to be both clinical and comforting.
Health Minister Mark Thompson, who attended yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, acknowledged that while the clinic is a significant step forward, it doesn’t solve all of eastern PEI’s healthcare challenges.
“This is part of our broader strategy to rebuild primary care across the island,” Thompson stated. “We’re working on recruitment and retention packages for rural healthcare providers, expanding telehealth options, and evaluating innovative care models.”
Critics, including the PEI Medical Society, caution that walk-in clinics, while valuable, don’t replace the continuity of care provided by family practices. “We need both,” says Dr. Helen Burke, the society’s president. “Walk-in clinics serve an essential role, but our goal must remain connecting every Islander with a consistent healthcare provider who knows their history.”
The clinic aims to serve approximately 60 patients daily, and while appointments are recommended, same-day visits will be accommodated when possible. An online booking system launched last week with slots filling quickly.
As I prepare to leave, I notice William MacLean, an 82-year-old former fisherman, carefully tucking a clinic appointment card into his wallet. “First time I’ve seen a doctor in three years for anything besides an emergency,” he tells me, his weathered face breaking into a smile. “Might seem small to some, but having healthcare return to our community? That’s no small thing.”
The rain has started by now, falling steadily on the Montague River. Patients continue to arrive, some with canes or accompanied by family members. Each one carries their own story of healthcare delayed, denied, or difficult to access. But today, at least, they also carry something that’s been in short supply in rural PEI healthcare: hope.
