In January 2003, a task force of community and civic leaders was struck to assess how best to bring additional health care resources to the City of Vaughan. The Task Force developed a vision for a comprehensive, innovative, and integrated health care model to serve Vaughan’s residents – The Vaughan Health Campus of Care. The Campus of Care model would offer a variety of services and help integrate health care programs and facilities within Vaughan to ensure seamless service delivery, support service efficiency and effectiveness with a focus on wellness, prevention and health promotion.

Recognizing that Community Health Centres are one of the most effective tools to address health issues and contribute to healthy lives and communities, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced in 2006, that it would expand the Community Health Centre model, adding 22 new and 17 satellite centres to the province’s health care system.

Acknowledging the need in Vaughan, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced that one of these new CHCs would be awarded to Vaughan, and named the Vaughan Health Care Foundation (VHCF) as the sponsoring organization. In keeping with the work and vision of the Task Force, the VHCF has been working to realize the Vaughan Community Health Centre as the first step in the Vaughan Health Campus of Care.

The Vaughan CHC will focus in delivering primary health care, illness prevention and health promotion programs and services, including services in specialty areas such as chiropody, physiotherapy and diabetes education. Community Health Centres are especially effective at increasing access to care for communities that have traditionally had difficulties getting the services and programs they need; the Vaughan CHC will focus on responding to the needs and issues of seniors, youth and those with mental health and addiction issues.

The Vaughan CHC is currently under construction and will be located on Jane Street, just north of Rutherford Road. It is scheduled to open in the new year.