I share the concerns Prospect residents have expressed regarding the constant staffing shortages at the Hatchet Lake Medical Centre. To provide an update on the current staffing situation, I am sharing a letter I sent to the Minister and Minister Thompson’s reply.
I am disappointed that our community cannot count on access to primary care for the current patient roster at the clinic, as notably, replacements had been secured for the clinic prior to the change in government.
The letter I sent to Minister Thompson:
Dear Minister Thompson,
It is with great concern I am writing to request your urgent attention to the lack of physicians at the Hatchet Lake Medical Centre.
This past summer, my office was advised that two physicians had signed Letters of Offer to begin full-time practice at the clinic starting in January and February 2022 respectively.
For weeks, my office has been inundated with phone calls and email messages from patients of the Centre who report:
• Patients are unable to schedule appointments at the Hatchet Lake Medical Centre,
• No new doctors have joined the practice and;
• Another doctor has left the Centre, again leaving clients on the patient list, with nowhere to turn as walk-in clinics and hospital emergency rooms are just not feasible options for regular care.
Thousands of Prospect residents are facing severe challenges because they have no viable access to medical care. VirtualCareNS is not a viable option as many residents in this area have no internet or limited access.
Prospect does not have a walk-in clinic, so residents are forced to travel outside of their community for healthcare. To further complicate this situation, Prospect residents have no access to public transportation. Those residents who are able to get to a walk-in clinic find the clinics stretched beyond their capacity and patients wait for hours with no assurance of being seen.
Your government’s only party plan during the 2021 election was to address healthcare. Premier Houston’s opening statement on the party’s website is, “Words matter. Promises matter. That’s what too often is missing in politics”.
The residents of Prospect are counting on you to deliver on your government’s words and promises.
I look forward to your timely response and your swift action.
Best regards,
Iain Rankin
MLA, Timberlea-Prospect
Minister Thompson’s reply:
Dear Honourable Rankin:
Re: Health human resources at Hatchet Lake Clinic
Thank you for your letter dated February 10, 2022, raising your concerns about health human resource challenges at the Hatchet Lake Clinic. I certainly agree that the clinic is facing challenges. Dr. Crooks has retired (although we understand he is still seeing patients through a walk-in arrangement to help out), Dr. Bourget has left, and Dr. Ellis has not returned from a leave. The reality of being down three physicians is unquestionably placing significant pressure on the clinic and on patients’ ability to access the clinic.
I understand there are two physicians seeking to join the clinic, although both are in somewhat of a transition. Dr. Ezeamah is working through the immigration process and Dr. Sado has delayed his arrival until next year at the earliest, due to family matters. This timing is unfortunate and leaves the clinic in a tenuous situation.
I have reached out to the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment and understand they have been in contact with physicians from the clinic, specifically Dr. Colp, to discuss the circumstances. The Office is working with Nova Scotia Health to try and secure a short-term locum, perhaps from the coming graduating family medicine residency class. Additionally, there is ongoing discussion with another graduating resident who is potentially interested in joining the clinic.
We want to ensure there is a long-term solution and a stable work force for the clinic. We will try and to ensure that we seek some immediate, short-term relief, perhaps in the form of locums.
If you would like to discuss the specifics of our approach, I welcome you to reach out to Kevin Chapman in the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, at kevin.chapman@novascotia.ca
In the meantime, while we work to provide a solution, any orphaned patients are encouraged to put their name on the Need a Family Practice Registry. To register they can call 811 or 1-866-770-7763 (toll-free) or visit https://needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca. This is the best way to facilitate attachment to a provider when one becomes available.
A walk-in clinic may also be able to assist short term needs, including requesting a specialist referral, if necessary, until patients get access to a permanent provider. For a list of walk-in clinics across Nova Scotia please visit: https://ns.skipthewaitingroom.com
Alternatively, patients can call 811 any time of the day or night, every day of the year, for advice and information for general health concerns, connect with community pharmacists during storefront hours, or for immediate attention of emergent issues go to their nearest emergency department.
Thanks again for your letter and for your advocacy on behalf of patients in the community.
Sincerely,
Michelle Thompson
Minister of Health and Wellness