At the request of Orangeville council, Ontario's Ministry of Health has agreed to move the location of a healthcard issuing service into the town next month.

Currently, Dufferin area residents seeking renewals or replacements of their Ontario Health Cards have to travel to the Orangeville Fairgrounds in Mono.

At the Town's request, the ministry agreed to change the venue for the renewal process, which is currently offered three to five days per month. To make the service more convenient for the town's residents, and to have the service offered at an Orangeville Transit stop, Orangeville Council passed a motion earlier this year to offer the Dufferin Room at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre to the Ministry of Health at a cost of $35 per day.

Ontario Health Card renewal applications will be available, by appointment, in the Dufferin Room at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre, effective in January.

"We are very pleased that the Ministry of Health listened and responded to concerns expressed by Orangeville Council, and the result is easier access and better service for residents looking to renew or replace their health cards," said Mayor Rob Adams.

Ministry of Health and Town of Orangeville staff toured three sites in Town, before choosing the sports centre at 40 Fead Street. Prior to locating at the fairgrounds on Mono's 5 Sideroad, the Ministry had offered the health card renewal service at the Headwaters Health Care Centre. However, the SARS outbreak in 2004 resulted in the Ministry no longer using hospitals for such services.

Councillor Scott Wilson, who brought the issue forward after hearing from residents, said he's pleased that the Town has been able to find a convenient Orangeville location for this important provincial service. "Town staff should be congratulated for their work to make health card renewal more accessible to our residents - especially for those who have to rely on others for transportation."

The outreach site operates on an appointment system. Ministry staff at the site register or re-issue health cards for renewals, new registrations, the replacement of damaged or lost or stolen health cards, change of personal information, and for former residents returning to Ontario.

In order to obtain a new or replacement health card you will need three separate original documents:

- Canadian birth certificate, Canadian citizenship or immigration status document

- Current document with your name and home address (e.g. Ontario driver's licence, utility bill, etc.)

- Document with your name and signature (e.g. bank card, S.I.N. card)

A photo health card has an expiry date that is linked to your date of birth. If you are older than 151/2 years, you will need to visit an OHIP office or outreach site to renew your health card and have a photo taken. Renewal notices for photo health cards are mailed approximately two months prior to the expiry date shown on the front of your card, but you can renew up to six months prior to this expiry date.

For more information, additional document requirements, or to make an appointment, you can call 1-888-376-5197.