Nova Scotians living in the Musquodoboit Valley area are benefiting from same-day or next-day medical appointments and stable access to emergency care with the province’s newest collaborative emergency centre at the Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital.
Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson joined representatives from Capital District Health Authority in Middle Musquodoboit today, Aug. 13, to officially open the province’s seventh CEC.
“Nova Scotians in rural areas need to know that they have reliable access to the care they need,” said Mr. Wilson. “CECs like the one in Musquodoboit Valley are an innovative solution helping the province deliver on its commitment to providing better care sooner.”
Since Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital adopted the CEC model of care in March, more than 600 patients have received better care sooner because of same-day or next-day access to their primary health care team, as well as stable access to emergency care.
The CEC serves Musquodoboit Valley and surrounding areas, including Elderbank, Middle Musquodoboit and Upper Musquodoboit.
“It has helped us to provide more timely care for patients,” said Dr. Barry Giffin. “Patients are able to see a family physician that day for urgent health care needs that require prompt treatment seven days a week.”
Amanda Whitewood, vice-president of sustainability and chief financial officer, Capital Health, said the CEC is benefiting patients in the Capital District.
“We are pleased to have a second Collaborative Emergency Centre in our district that is providing consistent and reliable care for the citizens of the Musquodoboit Valley area,” said Ms. Whitewood. “Over the last few months, patients have had improved access to family physicians for urgent care.”
Services at the collaborative emergency centre include:
— access to primary health care by a team of professionals, including doctors and nurses, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week
— same-day or next-day access to medical appointments
— emergency care from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
— emergency care from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. through 911 services.
Collaborative emergency centres are now open in Middle Musquodoboit, Musquodoboit Harbour, Parrsboro, Springhill, Tatamagouche, Pugwash and Annapolis Royal. CECs are also planned for Lunenburg and New Waterford and more communities will be announced in the coming months.
Other provinces are following Nova Scotia’s progressive and innovative approach to health care. Saskatchewan announced it will implement a similar model after visiting the CEC in Parrsboro, and Prince Edward Island is also looking into adopting the model.
For more information on the province’s Better Care Sooner plan, visit www.gov.ns.ca/health/bettercaresooner.
Source: Release
