N.S. government hopes new health clinics can cut into waitlist for family doctor

Nova Scotia government officials have high hopes for three new health clinics in the Halifax area to alleviate the strain on the province’s need-a-family-practice registry. The goal is to remove more than 20,000 people from the waitlist, but recruitment of additional staff is crucial to make this a reality.

The Hobsons Lake Health Home in Beechville recently opened its doors with a team consisting of one family doctor, a nurse practitioner, and a family practice nurse. Currently, the clinic serves 250 patients, with plans to expand to accommodate 8,600 patients once fully staffed. Five more doctors have been recruited for the site, but it will take until the end of the year for them to start seeing patients. In addition, two family practice nurses and one full-time and one part-time licensed practical nurse are still needed.

Kolten MacDonell, the director of primary health care for the provincial health authority’s central zone, emphasized the importance of these health homes in delivering primary care services. By bringing together a variety of health professionals under one roof, patients can receive comprehensive and personalized care based on their individual needs.

In addition to the Beechville clinic, renovations are underway for two more health homes in Halifax. The Citadel Health Home in the downtown area and the Needham Health Home in the north end are expected to open in October. The Citadel Health Home will have space for 6,000 patients, while the Needham Health Home will accommodate 8,600 patients once fully staffed.

The announcement of these new clinics comes at a critical time, as over 91,000 people in Nova Scotia were on the waitlist for a family practice as of June. The provincial health authority has made efforts to address this issue by expanding multidisciplinary health teams and opening these new health homes.

While progress is being made to reduce the waitlist, there is still work to be done in recruiting additional staff and ensuring that all clinics are fully operational. With continued efforts and support, Nova Scotia is on track to provide better access to primary care for its residents.