Access opening up for patients
Primary care clinic for patients without a provider expanded at Shelburne Family Practice Collaborative Health Centre
Access to primary health care services for Shelburne County residents without a primary care provider has taken a step forward.
The primary care clinic offered at the Shelburne Family Practice Collaborative Health Centre is now offering a limited number of appointments Monday through Friday.
Patients can now book appointments starting each Tuesday for the upcoming week by calling the practice at 902-875-2321. Patients will be seen by either a family doctor or by a nurse practitioner and the LPN.
“This is a positive step which will mean more access, more often, to primary health care services for people in the Shelburne area who do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner,” said Fraser Mooney, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) spokesperson.
“We have been able to expand because now that Dr. (John) Keeler retired from his regular practice, he is available to see some patients,” in the primary care clinic for people without a primary health care provider, said Mooney.
“This has allowed the family practice team to expand the service to provide a limited number of appointments five days a week. We now have six providers, including doctors, nurse practitioners and a licensed practical nurse who are providing service to people without a primary care provider," he added. "Over the past few months, the team has evaluated how the clinic operates, and some other changes have been made, such as extending the times people can call for an appointment.”
Mooney said it is important for people to understand that when they visit the clinic the provider they see is not their regular primary care provider.
“The clinic is providing access for people without a primary care provider, who might otherwise have to go to the emergency department for care,” he said. “Ideally though, we will continue to recruit doctors and nurse practitioners who are able to take on new patients as part of their regular caseload. That is the goal."
Recruitment efforts for Shelburne are ongoing and there continues to be interest from providers, said Mooney.
He said earlier this month they had hosted a pair of family physicians for a site visit in Shelburne and a tour of Roseway Hospital.
"We are also planning for a site visit by another potential new recruit in the next month, but details are still being worked out," Mooney added. "So, there is recruitment activity happening. No commitments have been made, but we are hopeful this activity will lead to some positive results.”
Meanwhile, said Mooney,
"The Shelburne Family Practice team is thrilled that even though Dr. Keeler has closed his practice, he is still making time to provide care in the area. Dr. Keeler is also playing a key role in providing care for inpatients at Roseway Hospital. Everyone continues to be very grateful for his service and dedication."