Access to primary care improving, says MLA
More than a dozen health professionals will be added to collaborative family practice teams across the CBRM
Health care is on everyone’s mind. It’s important to all of us, and I’m pleased to report we’re making progress.
The most recent data from the Nova Scotia Health Authority shows there are only 83 people in the Sydney area on the Need a Family Practice Registry. More than 1,900 have been taken off the list. As the proud MLA for Sydney-Whitney Pier, I’m frequently reviewing data and trends when it comes to services and issues facing our communities.
It’s important to note these numbers will always be a moving target, but they also show a tremendous amount of progress. Progress I’m pleased to be part of as your MLA.
More than a dozen health professionals will also be added to collaborative family practice teams across the CBRM, with nurse practitioners, family practice nurses, social workers and others forming both new and expanded teams in Sydney, North Sydney and Glace Bay.
These teams will be able to increase access to primary health care for more people in Cape Breton by accepting patients from the Need a Family Practice registry. In some cases, the health professionals will help stabilize a practice, ensuring the team can continue seeing all the patients they’re currently seeing.
A social worker has already been hired and is working with a collaborative family practice team in Sydney to address immediate needs in the community.
Our government continues to work hard to ensure people can get the care they need, and we know there is more work to do.
Staff from the Office of Immigration are headed back to London this week to reconnect with doctors they met during last fall’s job fair in England. The goal of the meetings is to share information about the province’s new Physician Stream aimed at attracting more international doctors and specialists. It makes the immigration process easier and faster for those who have approved job offers from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.
Since its launch last month, this stream has seen three doctors successfully processed in the first three weeks. One of those doctors, a family doctor from Virginia, plans to start practising here in Cape Breton this spring.
I would like to personally thank all the health care professionals who provide quality care for our friends and families each and every day. I remain committed to working with the Minister of Health and the Nova Scotia Health Authority to continue improving access to care for residents of Cape Breton, so they can receive the care they need, when they need it.