Primary Health Care Model For Queens County

The Department of Health has pledged $355,000 to support development of a new model of primary health care in Queens County.

The funding will allow South Shore Health to proceed with the planning and preliminary design for the South Queens Primary Health Care Project. The project has been developed to improve access to care, increase emphasis on health promotion, disease and injury prevention and management of chronic disease, and provide a team-approach to care.

"By investing in health promotion and injury and illness prevention today, we will create a healthy and strong province in the future," said Minister of Environment and Labour Kerry Morash, today, Sept. 14, on behalf of Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "Queens County continues to be a leader in the development and delivery of health services and this proposal is another excellent example of the community's innovative approach to addressing the health care needs of its population. Today's announcement reflects our government's ongoing commitment to support community-based initiatives that will result in better health."

A key component of the plan will include the construction of a new building, where a variety of health-care providers will work together in a team approach to care. Funding from the Department of Health will support the design of a structure that meets the needs of the primary care project and appropriately integrates with the community's existing health-care services.

"We are extremely pleased to have the Department of Health's support for this new model of primary health care funding, organization, delivery and evaluation that builds on the strengths, capacities and partnerships that already exist in our community," said board chair Roxie Smith. "We are eager to move forward with this exciting initiative, which is major part of our overall plan to enhance primary health care services throughout the district."

The project was developed by a wide range of community partners including municipal and community leaders, physicians and other health service providers, the Queens Community Health Board and South Shore Health. It was initiated in response to concerns about health issues facing the community, including low rates of physical activity and high rates of obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, as well as higher than average rates of respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer within Queens County.

"We have clearly identified the need to work together as a community to develop common goals, objectives and strategies for improving our health. We are pleased that the Department of Health has joined the growing list of community partners who are committed to the success of this project," said South Shore Health's CEO Kevin McNamara. "We will continue to need the community's input, support and co-operation as we move forward with the project, which we believe will ultimately improve the health and well-being of the people of Queens County."

Under the proposed model, the new and existing health services in Queens County will work together to help the community meet clearly identified health goals. The plan will also establish Queens County as a teaching site where students in health-related professions have hands-on experience in a multi-disciplinary team setting. There are plans to work with Dalhousie University to incorporate the role of family medicine residents, and students in nursing, pharmacy, health management, epidemiology and other health-related professions into this initiative to create opportunities for enhanced community education and patient teaching.

The South Queens Primary Health Care Model is a multi-year plan with multiple components, including an alternative funding formula for physicians, collaborative practice agreements, centralized administrative staff and electronic patient records.

Health care in Nova Scotia is changing to meet the unique needs of communities through a team-based approach to health-care delivery, all-day access to essential health services, care for people of all ages and cultures in their communities, and the appropriate use of technology to improve access to health information.

Primary health care will improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of health-care services to ensure Nova Scotians receive the most appropriate care, from the most appropriate provider when and where they need it.