‘No clinics north of Truro’: MLA pushes for expansion of pharmacy primary care clinics

Jean McLeod was disappointed when she saw the map of where there are community pharmacy primary care clinics across Nova Scotia.

On the last day of January, the provincial government announced that 12 pharmacies across the province would be participating in the pilot project, which allows people to book appointments with pharmacists for certain services.

Then in late April, the province announced 14 additional pharmacies would be joining the pilot project.

McLeod, who has been without a family doctor since she moved to Amherst last year, said she was relieved to hear there would be a clinic coming to town in May.

But when she received a map of the clinics in the mail in early October, she noticed one thing.

“There are no clinics north of Truro,” McLeod said.

The total count of community pharmacy primary care clinics across Nova Scotia was 25 – one short of the announcement. The clinic in Amherst was no longer on the map, nor was it on the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia’s website.

“I have needed medical attention but it doesn’t warrant me going to the emergency room at the hospital,” said McLeod, adding she has waited hours at walk-in clinics.

McLeod, who described herself as “aging gracefully” but didn’t want to disclose her age, said she’s not comfortable driving to Truro as an alternative.

Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, MLA for Cumberland-North, said dozens of residents have contacted her to voice their frustration.

“A lot of times people get angry, but they don’t always get in their car or make an effort to come into the MLA office to complain. But for this, a lot of people did. People came into the office with the brochure in their hand saying, ‘What is this?’” Smith-McCrossin said.

A strong Nova Scotia includes Cumberland 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/6y1iVQ5C2J

— Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin (@NovaScotiaESM) September 29, 2023

While Smith-McCrossin was frustrated to see there was no clinic in her riding, she said she wasn’t surprised.

“There’s a well-known saying in our area that Nova Scotia begins at Truro,” she said.

“We see it in the lack of ambulance services, lack of family physicians, lack of mental health care and now with this pharmacy community clinic. Changes are needed.”

Smith-McCrossin said over the last couple of years, six physicians between Pugwash and Amherst have retired or stopped practising, so a community pharmacy primary care clinic would help fill the gaps thousands are facing when it comes to the health-care system.

In an emailed statement Thursday, the Health Department said the pharmacy in Amherst couldn’t continue the community pharmacy primary care clinic “due to staffing challenges.” 

“The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia is working to identify another pharmacy in Cumberland County to provide this service,” the spokesperson said.

The Health Department said people who live in Cumberland County have access to primary care through other programs and services, such as Virtual Care Nova Scotia and urgent treatment centres. 

“Earlier this year, government also announced $17 million in 60 new and strengthened clinics that will connect more Nova Scotians to primary care they can count on,” the spokesperson said, adding there are 12 “new or strengthened” clinics in northern zone.