News release

First Collaborative Emergency Centre Providing Better Care

Health and Wellness

Close to 1,000 patients in the Parrsboro area have already experienced shorter waits and received expert 24/7 emergency care from highly trained doctors, nurses and paramedics at the South Cumberland Collaborative Emergency Centre.

The opening of the collaborative emergency centre, the first of its kind in Canada, marks a key commitment under the province's Better Care Sooner plan.

Nova Scotians joined Premier Darrell Dexter and Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald in Parrsboro today, Sept. 12, to celebrate the official opening of the centre, which began seeing patients in July.

"The creation of collaborative emergency centres is a key part of government's commitment to ensure Nova Scotians and their families receive better health care, sooner," said Premier Dexter. "By bringing emergency departments and local family practices together to work as a team, we are fulfilling that commitment in a way that makes sense for the province."

Emergency room problems, including long waits, overcrowding and unplanned closures, have plagued Nova Scotia's health care system for years.

Collaborative emergency centres are helping to address these issues by keeping emergency rooms open, reducing patient wait times and providing a team-based approach that offers continuity of care. This ensures that patients can get the appropriate treatment before a minor health issue turns into a health crisis.

"The highly trained doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health-care professionals at this collaborative emergency centre are doing an exceptional job, and I want to thank them for their admirable work and support," said Ms. MacDonald. "These committed health-care professionals have turned this CEC into a vital part of the community and a unique success story that the whole province can be proud of."

Annie Chagnon recently visited the centre with her 11-month-old daughter, who was running a high fever. The infant was immediately assessed by paramedics and nurses on site, who recommended a plan that provided her daughter with the best treatment.

"Anyone who has children knows that when they are sick, you want answers immediately," said Ms. Chagnon. "Without the CEC, I may have waited hours to see a doctor and by then my daughter's condition could have worsened.

"The level of attention and expert care my daughter received at the South Cumberland Collaborative Emergency Centre was exceptional. It is very reassuring to know that this resource is there for my daughter, and my family in the future."

The collaborative emergency centre in Parrsboro is the first to open in Nova Scotia. The province plans to open another three collaborative emergency centres by March 31, 2012, and four more the following year.

The services at the CEC in Parrsboro include:

  • access to primary health care by a team of professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., seven days per week
  • same-day or next-day access to medical appointments
  • 24/7 access to emergency care.

During the day, doctors are available at the collaborative emergency centre to treat patients. Between 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m., an advanced care paramedic, teamed with a registered nurse, staffs the centre to ensure patients get the care they need. An EHS oversight physician provides assistance by phone.

"From all reports, the new CEC model is working very well," said Cumberland Health Authority CEO Bruce Quigley. "Patients are enjoying improved access to primary care and the community as a whole is pleased that ER closures are no longer a regular occurrence. Staff and physicians, as well as the paramedics who team up with our nursing staff to provide overnight coverage, are also supportive of this collaborative approach."

For more information on the province's Better Care Sooner plan, visit www.gov.ns.ca/health/bettercaresooner .