Health clinic closure not political

The High River Youth and Young Adult Clinic in the Charles Clark Medical Centre will close Tuesday March 28.

A spokesperson for the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network says the closure isn't the work of Premier Danielle Smith or the UCP, but because of a change in the funding model.

An NDP news release earlier this week questioned if Smith couldn't keep a clinic open in the town where she lives, it wondered what other centres might be affected.

Physician staffing for the clinic could not be secured so young people who need help will be referred to a PCN registered nurse, either virtually or in person.

Local physicians have also agreed to continue to support patients and, if appropriate, patients will be referred to the Okotoks Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic.

The High River clinic's been in operation for five years, serving youth, including LGBTQ2S+ and indigenous patients.