Nova Scotia's First Collaborative Emergency Centre Announced

Published by the Premier's Office

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Nova Scotians living in smaller communities will be able to see a doctor the same day or next day and will have 24-7 access to emergency care with the creation of Collaborative Emergency Centres. The province's first Collaborative Emergency Centre, announced by Premier Darrell Dexter and Minister of Health and Wellness Maureen MacDonald, will be in Parrsboro.

Quotes

“ Emergency room closures and long waits have plagued our health care system and frustrated Nova Scotians for many years. Collaborative emergency centres bring together emergency departments, local family practices and other health professionals -- working as a team -- to provide better care sooner to families night and day. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ Residents who once had to wait weeks to see their family doctor, or who encountered closed doors at the ER, will soon have services matched to their needs. Collaborative Emergency Centres will ensure people in this province get the level of care they need and deserve. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ More than anything else, Nova Scotians want peace-of-mind with regard to our health care. Collaborative Emergency Centres are intended to match the level of service with the needs of the community. These centres will help create stability within our system. ” Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald

“ Paramedics are a fundamental part of the health care system. We work in teams everyday to provide excellent patient care across the province. We believe that collaborative health-care opportunities will provide Nova Scotians with better care sooner. ” Emergency Health Services paramedic Bradley Landry

Quick Facts

• Establishing Collaborative Emergency Centres fulfills a key commitment of Better Care Sooner, government's response to Dr. John Ross's report.
• In 2010-11, in Parrsboro, the emergency room was closed 525 hours. In 2009-10, it was closed 1,277 hours. Also, sometimes patients had to wait two or three weeks or more to see their family doctor.
• A Collaborative Emergency Centre will provide patients with:
  • access to primary health care by a team of professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners for extended hours, seven days per week. In Parrsboro, appointments will be between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • same-day or next-day access to appointments
  • advanced access to care, which means that a set number of appointments will be left open during the day at the Collaborative Emergency Centre in case patients arrive with more urgent needs
  • 24/7 access to emergency care. People will now be able to come to the emergency department at any time of the day or night.
• In Parrsboro, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., a paramedic will be on site, supported by an EHS oversight physician to ensure patients get the care they need. CECs may be staffed overnight by paramedics or other health care providers working with physician oversight.
• Another benefit is that physicians now will have greater control over their work hours.
• The Collaborative Emergency Centre in Parrsboro will begin operation in July.
• Over the next year, the success of the centre will be evaluated.
• At least three more Collaborative Emergency Centres are expected to open this year. Evaluations will help create collaborative emergency centres in more areas next year.

Learn More

• Better Care Sooner
• Department of Health and Wellness
• Premier's Office

Media Contact

Janet Lynn McNeil

Premier's Office

902-424-2402

Cell: 902-237-4287

E-mail: mcneiljl@gov.ns.ca

Carla Grant

Health and Wellness

902-424-7558

Cell: 902-478-1683

E-mail: Carla.Grant@gov.ns.ca