The MAC H2OPE Clinic will no longer be accepting new patients as of July 1, 2023.
The MAC H2OPE Clinic has offered Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services, at no cost, to Hamilton residents for over 10 years via partnerships with McMaster School of Rehabilitation Science, the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA, the Hamilton Family Health Team and the McMaster Family Health Team. During this time the MAC H2OPE Clinic was able to provide McMaster Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students with placement opportunities in a primary care environment. The clinic engaged with numerous community agencies and programs over the course of a decade to promote equitable access to rehabilitation services.
However, during this time, the climate with respect to the delivery of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in primary care has changed. Local Family Health Teams and Community Health Centres now employ physiotherapists and occupational therapists as part of their funded services for rostered and non-rostered patients. It was determined that due to these changes, in addition to the continuation of other pathways for accessing physiotherapy services (i.e. Community physiotherapy clinics, CPCs) that it is time for the MAC H2OPE Clinic to discontinue direct patient care services.
It has been a privilege for the clinicians and students at the MAC H2OPE Clinic to provide Hamilton residents with rehabilitation services. Listed below is information that may guide future patients who need to access physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy locally or provincially.
Expandable List
Occupational Therapists (OT) are regulated health care professionals who help people to resume, maintain or progress participation in a variety of tasks such as work, leisure pursuits, social activities, daily self-care, house work, transportation, mobility and much more.
Please refer to this site for more information about the role of an OT: https://www.coto.org/clientsandthepublic/working-with-an-occupational-therapist/what-occupational-therapists-do
Please use this link to locate an OT: https://www.osot.on.ca/OSOT/OT_Directory/PublicDirectory.aspx
Physiotherapists (PT) are regulated health care professionals who can help people to restore, maintain or maximize strength, function and overall wellbeing in patients who are struggling due to illness, injury or disability.
Please refer to these links for more information about the role of a PT:
https://www.collegept.org/patients/what-is-physiotherapy
https://causes.discoverphysiotherapy.ca/real-patients-real-stories/
Please use this link to locate a PT: https://physiotherapists.opa.on.ca/physiotherapists/
Refer to this link to see if you qualify for publicly funded PT in Ontario: https://www.collegept.org/patients/Accessing-Government-Funded-Physiotherapy
Refer to this link to find a publicly funded PT clinic in the Hamilton area: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/physio/pub_clinics.aspx#Hamilton
Refer to this link to determine if you qualify for rehabilitation services in your home: https://www.hnhbhealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=181978
Refer to this link to see if you qualify for publicly funded OT in Ontario: https://www.coto.org//clientsandthepublic/how-to-find-an-ot/funding-for-occupational-therapy-services
Refer to this link to determine if you qualify for rehabilitation services in your home: https://www.hnhbhealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=181978
Alternatively, If you live in Hamilton and the surrounding area you can access Physiotherapists (PT) and Occupational Therapists (OT) at no cost at Compass Community Health at 488 Hughson St North. This location also offers free education and exercise session for individuals living with COPD and/or diabetes.
Refer to this link to review the eligibility and contact information for PT and OT at Compass Health: https://www.compassch.org/programs-services/health-wellness
Refer to this link to review the COPD and diabetes education Program: https://www.compassch.org/programs-services/managing-your-health-wellness
If you are a patient of the Hamilton Family Health Team you can receive PT at no cost at their James St North location: https://www.hamiltonfht.ca/en/who-we-are/Physiotherapists.aspx
If you are unsure if your doctor is part of this team check here: https://www.hamiltonfht.ca/en/who-we-are/Doctors.aspx
If you are a patient of the McMaster Family Practice or Stonechurch Family Health Centre you can receive PT and or OT at no cost at your doctor’s office. Your doctor can refer you to this service.