The Southwest Middlesex Health Centre was officially opened on October 17, 1974 following several years of planning and negotiations between surrounding rural communities, Western University and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. It was the first facility of its kind in Ontario to be funded by the Ministry.
The Centre was founded on the following objectives:
- To provide a comprehensive health service for the surrounding population.
- To integrate the health services of the First Nations reserves and the rural community.
- To integrate in a rural area, health services and those social services related to health.
- To provide a milieu for research into health problems and health research.
- To provide an innovative setting for the training of health service personnel for work in rural areas.
The Centre was initially built, equipped and furnished by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. In 2007 the Centre was expanded with 80% funding from the Ministry, 5% from Western University and 15% from the Centre’s profits and reserves.
The Centre operates with a budget funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Western University and the revenue generated by the on-site independent pharmacy.
The Centre is governed by representatives from:
- The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (2 members)
- The Municipality of Middlesex Centre (2 members)
- Chippewa of the Thames First Nation
- Munsee-Delaware Nation
- Oneida Nation of the Thames
- Middlesex Hospital Alliance – Strathroy Middlesex Hospital
- Western University, Department of Family Medicine
- Medical Director of the Southwest Middlesex Health Centre