This rural P.E.I. community took health care into its own hands. Now it has a thriving clinic
In 2017, the community of Crapaud and surrounding areas faced a health care crisis when their only family doctor retired after 32 years of service. The new physician who took over soon found the workload untenable and left, leaving thousands of residents without access to primary health care. Recognizing the urgent need for action, pharmacist and owner of South Shore Pharmacy, Lisa Gallant, spearheaded efforts to address the issue.
Gallant, along with other local leaders, formed the non-profit South Shore Health and Wellness Inc. and raised funds to establish a walk-in clinic in January 2018. What started as a small clinic in the pharmacy’s kitchen has now evolved into the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre, undergoing two expansions and currently in the midst of a third. Once completed, the centre will span over 5,000 square feet.
The centre now boasts a comprehensive care team, including a full-time physician, two full-time nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, nurses specializing in chronic disease management, and a physiotherapist. The model of collaborative, multidisciplinary primary care that Gallant and her team envisioned has proven successful in meeting the health care needs of the rural population.
Despite facing challenges and years of advocacy with the provincial government, the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre has become a beacon of hope for other rural communities in Prince Edward Island. The concept of collaborative, team-based health care has gained traction across the province, with 17 medical homes currently in operation.
Dr. Hendrik Visser, a retired family doctor who advocated for a collaborative model of rural health care, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary care based on his experiences in Africa. The community-driven initiative in Crapaud eventually garnered support from the government, with the clinic welcoming its first family doctor in five years in 2023.
The success of the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre has not only provided essential health care services to the community but has also attracted interest from health care professionals looking to join the collaborative team. The clinic’s supportive atmosphere and dedication to staff morale have been key factors in recruitment efforts.
Health Minister Mark McLane commended the model in Crapaud as a potential blueprint for other rural areas, emphasizing the need for community support in attracting health care providers. While the federal government’s loan forgiveness program aims to incentivize professionals to work in rural and remote areas, the responsibility of delivering health care ultimately lies with the government.
As communities across Prince Edward Island take similar actions to address health care gaps, the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre stands as a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy and collaborative care. With continued support and dedication, the vision of accessible and comprehensive health care for all Islanders is within reach.
