Sydney-Area Collaborative Family Practice Teams Enhanced

More access to healthcare providers means more comprehensive care for patients of seven collaborative family practices in the Sydney area.

Since June 2023, these clinics have welcomed nine new healthcare professionals and increased the availability of several others. Some of the providers support more than one clinic.

“We continue to increase and strengthen access to primary healthcare across the province by investing in the people we need to deliver the care Nova Scotians deserve,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health and MLA for Cape Breton East, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “These clinics are a perfect example of how collaboration between clinics supports the care needs of patients to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia.”

The new members of the collaborative teams include four licensed practical nurses, two dietitians, a nurse practitioner, a family practice nurse and a social worker. Three other dietitians and another social worker have increased hours to support patients at more than one clinic.

The clinics with enhanced teams include:

• Celtic Collaborative Practice, Membertou
• Docs & Dogs, Sydney
• Island Family Health, Sydney
• Northside Collaborative Family Practice, North Sydney
• Northside General Collaborative Practice, North Sydney
• Pier Medical Clinic, Whitney Pier
• Sydney Collaborative Practice.

Collaborative family practice clinics are an example of a health home, where patients receive comprehensive care from a team made up of doctors or nurse practitioners working with other healthcare professionals like pharmacists, dietitians and social workers.

Health homes provide the care Nova Scotians need and deserve and are part of Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare.

Quotes:
“Investments in primary healthcare positively impact the entire healthcare system, such as reducing pressures in our emergency departments. It also allows us to strengthen our health-home model so patients can be seen by the right provider at the right time.” 
— Michelle DePodesta, Executive Director, Acute Health Services, Eastern Zone, Nova Scotia Health

“For dietitians, working within collaborative teams provides invaluable opportunities for real-time communication with fellow healthcare providers. This collaboration allows dietitians to align dietary interventions with overall treatment plans, leading to more comprehensive and effective patient care.” 
— Mireyne MacMillan, dietitian, Celtic Collaborative Clinic and Sydney Collaborative Practice

Quick Facts:

- there are more than 100 collaborative family practice teams in Nova Scotia

- in May 2023, the Province announced $17 million to expand access to primary healthcare by supporting new clinics and strengthening others across the province

Additional Resources:

More information on the expansion of primary healthcare in the province is available at: https://novascotia.ca/news/docs/2023/05/10/primary-healthcare-announcement-fact-sheet.pdf

Where to go for healthcare (Nova Scotia Health resource): https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Where%20to%20Go%20for%20Health%20Care%20-%20EZ%20-February%202024.pdf

The government recently added more data about access to primary healthcare to its online dashboard at the Action for Health website: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth

Mandate letter for the Minister of Health and Wellness: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DHW.pdf