Shelburne County Sees Major Boost in Healthcare Access

Residents of Shelburne County are celebrating a significant improvement in their local healthcare services. Over the past year, six new healthcare professionals have joined the Shelburne Family Practice team, enhancing access to primary care closer to home.

Nolan Young, MLA for Shelburne, shared the positive development on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “The addition of six primary healthcare providers will increase access for patients from Lockeport to Clark’s Harbour as we continue to build on access for patients in the healthcare system throughout the county,” Young stated. “The team will provide care at clinics across Shelburne County to ensure that we are reducing the barriers that patients experience when they must travel to access care.”

The expanded collaborative family practice team now includes five family physicians, five nurse practitioners, two registered nurses, a licensed practical nurse, a social worker, and six administrative staff. Additionally, the Shelburne Diabetes Centre is part of the team, offering services from its own registered nurse and dietitian.

The new team members will serve clinics in Shelburne, Lockeport, Clark’s Harbour, and Barrington. Patients who previously traveled from these communities to the Shelburne clinic can now discuss making appointments in their home community. In Clark’s Harbour, residents without a primary care provider can even book same-week appointments, subject to availability.

In March, a family practice nurse was also hired to support patients at the Barrington Community Health Centre, further expanding the county’s healthcare resources.

This expansion is part of the Houston government’s Action for Health plan, aimed at improving healthcare across Nova Scotia. Access to family doctors like the ones at Shelburne Family Practice are essential to providing the care that Nova Scotians need and deserve.

Shelburne County’s residents can look forward to more accessible, comprehensive care thanks to these exciting developments in their healthcare system.