Health Home, Learning Centre Open in Pictou County
The number of health homes in Nova Scotia continues to grow. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
A new health home in New Glasgow combines patient care with professional development and simulation-based learning for healthcare professionals.
The Highland Health Home and Learning Centre opened to patients in early September. The collaborative learning centre will be fully operational later this year.
“I’m incredibly proud that with this new health home, our government is bringing more healthcare, faster to our community,” said Danny MacGillivray, MLA for Pictou Centre, on behalf of Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “This health home is a first for our community and our province, as it will increase access to primary healthcare for residents and help to train more healthcare professionals closer to home.”
The Westville Medical Clinic has relocated to the clinic and expanded, with capacity for about 3,000 more people from the Need a Family Practice Registry.
The goal is to enhance the care team to include more roles such as pharmacist, social worker, dietitian, nurse practitioner, chronic disease management nurse, family practice nurses, continuing care co-ordinator, administrative assistants, care team assistant and physician assistant. Recruitment is also underway to add three new physicians.
The health home has two simulation exam rooms that will be used to support healthcare professionals who are actively learning and specializing in their fields; a simulation specialist and clinical nurse educator will also be hired.
It has 31 exam rooms, meeting rooms, office space and a family room reserved for conversations about care, breastfeeding support, accommodating sensory needs and more.
The Highland Health Home and Learning Centre will serve as a proof-of-concept model that will be evaluated to be expanded to other health homes across the province.
Quotes:
“The Highland Health Home and Learning Centre represents a new way of working together to serve our patients and our community. By combining comprehensive, team-based care with a dedicated learning and simulation space, we are not only improving access for thousands of Nova Scotians but also building the next generation of health professionals right here in Pictou County. We are proud to develop a model of care that puts patient care and professional growth side by side.”
— Dr. Brad MacDougall, family physician, Highland Health Home and Learning Centre
Quick Facts:
- the new centre, announced previously as the Pictou County Collaborative Learning and Health Home, is located at 609 Westville Rd.
- patients of the former Westville Medical Centre have been notified of the relocation
- a health home model of care is where patients receive comprehensive care from a team of healthcare professionals that could include doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers or other healthcare providers
- there are more than 118 health homes across Nova Scotia
Additional Resources:
News Release – New Health Home Coming to Pictou County: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/24/new-health-home-coming-pictou-county
Information on health homes and related roles: https://www.nshealth.ca/health-homes