Health Care Services Expanded at Cobequid Health Centre

The province is expanding health care services at the Cobequid Community Health Centre in Sackville so 10,000 Nova Scotians will receive better patient care with extended hours and an expanded medical/surgical clinic.

Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald announced a $1.5-million investment today, Oct. 27, as part of the Better Care Sooner emergency health care plan. The centre will have new hours (from 7 a.m. to midnight) as well as an expanded clinic that gives patients who require follow-up services access to a doctor and tests the same day or next day.

The expansion will help to address emergency department overcrowding and long waits to see doctors. The type of care provided at the clinic, such as transfusions, minor procedures and dressing changes, is less urgent. Patients needing follow-up care will to go directly to the clinic rather than stay in the emergency department. Early next year, the clinic, now open just three hours each weekday, will be open eight hours, five days a week.

"As part of Better Care Sooner, we are expanding the hours for Cobequid Community Health Centre to improve patient care and access," said Ms. MacDonald. "The demand for care here has risen and this is the next logical step for the communities and Nova Scotians who rely on this centre for safe, quality care."

Ellery Oicle has been a patient at the emergency department and used other services at the Cobequid Community Health Centre.

"This facility and its staff and services are an important part of our community," Mr. Oicle said. "I'm pleased to know that when I need it, there will be even more opportunity to be cared for here with the additional hours for the emergency department and day clinic."

Capital Health consulted with the community, family physicians and specialists and predicts the extended hours and new services will allow the centre to see 10,400 more patients per year.

"The expansion of the medical/surgical day clinic to eight hours daily will have a significant impact on citizens of Bedford, Fall River, Sackville and surrounding areas as it will allow delivery of care closer to home," said Dr. Michael Clory, site chief, Cobequid Community Health Centre emergency department. "Follow-up care from multiple disciplines that today have to be delivered at Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre clinics will, if appropriate, be provided at Cobequid Community Health Centre."

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