Nova Scotia is taking a significant step forward in improving access to mental health and addictions care by covering the costs of private-sector services. The initiative, announced by Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, will ensure that Nova Scotians with mood and anxiety disorders can receive care without financial barriers.

Expanding Access to Care

“That means no matter where someone lives in the province and no matter what issue they are facing, they can get the mental health care and support they deserve for free as part of our publicly funded health-care system,” Comer stated during a news conference on Wednesday morning.

The province is actively seeking psychologists, registered counselling therapists, and social workers to provide non-urgent care to eligible patients. By spring, registered professionals who join the program will be compensated similarly to doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, reinforcing the government’s commitment to mental health as a core component of healthcare.

“Seeing a mental health clinician anytime you need one shouldn’t be any different than seeing a doctor or a dentist or a pharmacist, but it has been different,” Comer emphasized. “Paying private sector providers for public access health care is nothing new; we’ve been doing it in this province for decades.”

Addressing the Growing Demand

Since April 2023, more than 27,000 Nova Scotians have sought mental health and addictions care. The province currently aims to provide care for non-urgent patients within 28 days, but many experience longer waits. Children and youth wait between 15 and 80 days, while adults face a 10-to-95-day wait, according to Francine Vezina, senior executive director with the provincial Department of Mental Health and Addictions.

To address this challenge, the province is investing an additional $10 million to launch the program and plans to recruit 50 mental health and addictions professionals this year, with a goal of adding 200 more over the next two years. A request for proposals has also been issued to find an administrator to handle billing processes.

Delivering on Commitments

This expansion aligns with the Progressive Conservative government’s promise of universal access to free mental health care, a key commitment from Premier Tim Houston’s 2021 election platform. By integrating private providers into the publicly funded system, the province is taking action to reduce wait times and make mental health care more accessible to Nova Scotians.

With implementation set for the spring, residents will soon be able to reach out for support through a provincial intake line and receive timely assessments. This initiative marks an important milestone in ensuring that mental health care is treated with the same urgency and accessibility as other essential healthcare services in Nova Scotia.

Construction has officially begun on the Sydney River Health Centre, a groundbreaking collaborative care clinic designed to transform healthcare delivery throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). This state-of-the-art facility is expected to open its doors in 2025, providing a central hub for various healthcare services and programs thanks to the Houston government’s commitment to building up healthcare.

The new clinic, located at 1173 Kings Road in Sydney River, will offer seven different healthcare services, with the capacity to handle around 30,000 patient visits annually. This initiative marks a significant step forward in healthcare for the region, bringing a wide range of services under one roof to streamline patient care.

“Nova Scotians want healthcare they can count on from a team of connected healthcare professionals,” said Addictions and Mental Health Minister Brian Comer, MLA for Cape Breton East, speaking on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “This is a first-of-its-kind facility in our region, and it will improve how patients receive the healthcare they need.”

The Sydney River Health Centre will house a variety of services, including:

• Coastal Family Health: A new primary healthcare clinic with six doctors, three licensed practical nurses, a dietitian, and a social worker.

• Sydney Diabetes Centre

• Palliative Care Service Cape Breton (satellite office)

• Eastern Zone Hip & Knee Clinic (formerly Optimal Hip & Knee Clinic), featuring an orthopedic assessment clinic and prehabilitation programs.

• Sydney & Area Community Rehabilitation: Providing physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

• Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care

• Cape Breton Heart and Lung Wellness Centre: Offering cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs.

Once completed, the health centre will feature 31 exam rooms, a gymnasium, warm-up and cool-down rooms, education rooms, and administrative offices. It will serve as a “health home,” where patients can receive comprehensive care from a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and more.

“The Sydney River Health Centre has been carefully designed with input from each program and service to ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, under one roof. In addition, this new, modern facility is another tool to attract new physicians to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality,” said Brett MacDougall, Vice-President Operations, Eastern Zone, Nova Scotia Health.

As construction progresses, the Sydney River Health Centre is poised to become a cornerstone of healthcare in CBRM, setting a new standard for integrated, patient-centered care in Nova Scotia.

Yarmouth Regional Hospital is set to receive a major upgrade with the introduction of a new state-of-the-art SPECT/CT scanner, aimed at improving healthcare services for residents in Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Digby counties. This announcement marks a crucial step in the Houston government’s ongoing efforts to modernize healthcare facilities across Nova Scotia.

The new scanner, which will replace the decade-old model installed in 2013, is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities at the hospital. Premier Tim Houston emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “We are committed to addressing the challenges Nova Scotians face in accessing healthcare close to home. By supporting projects that update our healthcare infrastructure, we ensure that Nova Scotians receive the best care possible while also attracting top-tier healthcare professionals to our communities.”

A SPECT/CT scanner, or single-photon emission computed tomography scanner, is a sophisticated medical device that combines nuclear medicine imaging with CT scanning technology. This combination allows for the creation of detailed 3D images, providing healthcare professionals with critical insights into how different parts of a patient’s body are functioning, which aids in more accurate diagnoses.

In addition to the new scanner, the Yarmouth Regional Hospital will receive funding to upgrade its electrical system, including the installation of a new backup generator that will power the entire facility. These improvements are part of the broader redevelopment of the hospital’s emergency department, reflecting the province’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure.

This initiative is part of the Houston government’s larger plan to expand access to high-quality healthcare across Nova Scotia, ensuring that all residents can benefit from modernized medical facilities and equipment.

This version presents the information in a more dynamic and structured manner, emphasizing the broader context and impact of the announcement.