Health professionals hired across province

Pictou County is one of 17 Nova Scotian communities that will benefit by the addition of 39 health professionals across the province.

The announced the addition of the employees including nurse practitioners, family practice nurses, social workers and a physiotherapist will join 23 collaborative family practice teams.

“Patients need better access to collaborative primary health care, and that continues to be our focus,” said Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey. “Adding these health professionals to practices not only better supports family physicians and other health professionals, but provides care for more Nova Scotians.”

Of the 23 teams, seven new teams are being created and 16 are being strengthened.

In Pictou County, Westville will see an expanded collaborative family practice team with the addition of one nurse practitioner and one family practice nurse.

There are additional health professionals being hired to work in communities to address immediate needs as well, according to a release from the province. They are ensuring practices can continue seeing all the patients they’re currently seeing, and over time some of these teams will be able to take on new ones. Two nurse practitioners are being added in Pictou and one family practice nurse in New Glasgow as part of that effort.

Nova Scotians who need a primary care provider should register with Nova Scotia Health Authority’s provincial list, by visiting needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca or by calling 811, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.