Improvements Will Ease ER Overcrowding, Access to Care
Queens County residents will get better care, sooner with plans for a new $16-million collaborative primary care clinic and an upgraded 22-bed in-patient unit.
"Earlier this month, government released a plan that will bring better care sooner to Nova Scotians," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Today is a good example of the way ahead and how we are working to get people the care they need when they need it. Better access to primary care, will mean less waiting in the ER and more patient-focused health care."
The new collaborative primary care clinic will have space for five family physicians, a nurse practitioner, family practice nurses as well as other health professionals, including a dietician, diabetes nurse educator and pharmacist. The clinic will allow the team of health-care professionals to provide more patient-focused care in chronic-disease management, wellness, health promotion and illness prevention.
The new unit will also help ease overcrowding in the emergency department. About 84 per cent of emergency department visits at Queens General Hospital would be better addressed by primary care.
The upgraded 22-bed medical inpatient unit will create a stronger focus on patient and family-centred care, improve infection prevention and control and make better use of staff and space.
"I know that the Queens General Hospital has tremendous community support and the generous donations to this project are outstanding," said Premier Dexter.
The province has invested $2.5 million in the project while the Region of Queens Municipality has committed $1 million. About $11 million came from the Queens Foundation and private donors. Another $1.5 million still needs to be raised.
"We are very thankful for the community's generous support in helping to make this project a reality," said South Shore Health board member Christopher Clarke. "It is a true testament to the care and service provided by Queens General Hospital over the years and an indication of how important the hospital and primary health care services are to this community.
"We look forward to working with our community to raise the balance of the funds needed to complete this project."
Construction is expected to start next fall.