About Us

Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) is a non-profit, community-governed organization that provides primary health care, health promotion and community development services, using interdisciplinary teams of health providers. These teams include physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, health promoters, counsellors and others. SWCHC is sponsored and managed by an incorporated non-profit community board made up of members of our community.

SWCHC is well known for its excellent community health centre model and its professional health services team, but it has also become a leader in offering a wide range of social services, community-building activities and advocacy programs.

Our services and programs are designed to meet the specific needs of our community. In addition, SWCHC provides a variety of health promotion and illness prevention services which focus on addressing and raising awareness of the broader social determinants of health such as employment, education, environment, isolation, social exclusion and poverty.

In April 2009 Somerset West Community Health Centre entered into a multi-year service accountability agreement with the Champlain Local Health Integrated Network (the LHIN). For details please click on Service Accountability Agreement.

In February 2009 SWCHC underwent its 4th Building Healthier Organizations accreditation review. Building Healthier Organizations (BHO) is a tool and a process for promoting continuous learning and improvement in not-for-profit organizations. It is also an accreditation program which can provide assurance to the board, clients, community and funders that accepted standards of practise are being met.

SWCHC received notice in June 2009 that it had again successfully completed BHO accreditation. The BHO final report concluded with the following statement by the review team, "SWCHC is a well-established organization, but is not just content with past successes. Those involved at all levels of the organization share a passion for their work and respect for each other. They continually reflect on past practise and work to improve what they do in the interests of SWCHC clients and community. The solutions they find to address multiple barriers faced by some clients are unique and creative. They are not afraid to take risks and fortunately these have paid off in a centre that is well regarded by its community, educational partners and clients."

SWCHC looks forward to its next review in 2012.