Construction of New Shelburne Clinic Moving Forward

Construction of a new health-care clinic in Shelburne is expected to start in June, as the community welcomes two new doctors and two new nurses to the area.

Those registered on the Need a Family Practice list from the Shelburne and surrounding areas, like Lockeport, Barrington and Cape Sable Island, will now be able to access primary care from this team. Anyone who has yet to register can call 811.

“This is another step toward our vision for primary care in Nova Scotia and a great example of collaboration with the community, Nova Scotia Health Authority and government,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Not only will this clinic meet the needs of the citizens today, but well into the future because of the teaching opportunity that will be there for family medicine residents.”

Today, April 23, Premier McNeil announced the tender for construction will be issued Monday, April 24. The new clinic will be made up of family physicians, nurse practitioners, a family practice nurse, and support staff.

“Today marks the first time in two decades where we can boast that we will soon have four full-time doctors plus three nurse practitioners,” said Dr. John Keeler, physician site lead at Roseway Hospital. “I have practiced here for 30 years and know that our new health-care practitioners will find the community welcoming and supportive.”

There are three family practices in the community right now. One of the practices that has two doctors will move into the new clinic. Those physicians will be joined by two new doctors. One arrives next month and the second one in July. A new nurse practitioner and family practice nurse, announced by government earlier this week, will also move to the new clinic, along with two existing nurse practitioners.

Until the clinic opens in the early fall of 2018, these eight health-care providers will work together at the Roseway Hospital.

The Municipality of the District of Shelburne has also committed to supporting a part-time pharmacist position when the clinic opens next year. There will also be space included for family medicine residents from Dalhousie University to do a residency placement in Shelburne.

“Having a new facility where this collaborative family practice team can work together is one of the enablers to providing accessible, co-ordinated and comprehensive care for patients,” said Tricia Cochrane, vice-president of primary health care and public health, Nova Scotia Health Authority. “It’s an important next step as we continue to strengthen primary-care services for the Shelburne area and surrounding communities.”

The total cost of the project will be known later this spring, once the tender has been awarded. The project will be funded by the province, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, the Town of Shelburne, and the Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation.

Nova Scotians in the Shelburne area who need a primary-care provider should register with Nova Scotia Health Authority’s provincial list by visiting www.needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca or by calling 811, Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.