Dartmouth, NS – Early success of the Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic demonstration project launched in February has inspired an expansion of the project.
The expansion was announced yesterday at a press conference. “Pharmacists live and work in our communities and are one of the most accessible healthcare providers in Nova Scotia,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, on behalf of Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “As our province and population quickly grow, we’re expanding how and where Nova Scotians can receive primary care close to home.”
Since February, pharmacist-led primary care clinics have provided more than 9,000 services to more than 5,000 Nova Scotians.
The original 12 sites of the pilot will expand to 26 by the end of May. Nine sites will open May 1 with an additional five opening by the end of May. Patients can book appointments online now by visiting www.pans.ns.ca/cppcc.
“The expansion of this project and its early success further demonstrates the outstanding role our pharmacy teams play in healthcare. This project will change how pharmacy delivers service in the future – not only in Nova Scotia but nationwide. We are at the forefront of something amazing,” says Allison Bodnar, CEO, Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia.
The Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic (CPPCC) Demonstration Project was created in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health and the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. Clinic sites have been carefully selected in areas that have been identified as highest priority due to a current and/or ongoing lack of access to physician and nurse practitioner care. Including the additional sites, there are now 8 in the Central Zone, 5 in the Eastern Zone, 5 in the Northern Zone and 8 in the Western Zone.
These sites offer online booking with convenient time slots. Clinics offer services including assessment and prescribing for 32 minor ailments, assessment and prescribing for Strep throat, Chronic Disease Drug Therapy Management (diabetes, COPD, asthma, etc) and more.
This project has not only been beneficial to Nova Scotians as patients, but as pharmacy professionals too. In the midst of hearing about burnout and dissatisfaction across all healthcare professions, we are hearing stories of renewed passion for pharmacy as pharmacy professionals are able to practice to full scope and provide care in a way that is both meaningful and productive.
“We are so excited to be part of this extended project. This project allows us to bring services to more people in our community and at no cost. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to build upon a game-changing project for healthcare,” said Diane Harpell, pharmacist and owner, The Medicine Shoppe, Dartmouth, an official site opening May 1.
“Nova Scotia has really stepped up when it comes to providing accessible primary care in pharmacy,” Bodnar continues. “We believe this model will be the pharmacy model of the future and considering the early success of this project, we are well on our way.”
To learn more about services offered and book online at a participating site, visit www.pans.ns.ca/cppcc
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For more information, contact:
Martha Lowe
Communications Manager
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
martha@pans.ns.ca | (902) 422-9583 ex 4