Patients ‘highly satisfied’ with Nova Scotia’s Primary Care Clinics: report

The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia says its final report on Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics finds the program highly satisfactory.

The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) says its final report and patient survey on Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics finds the program highly satisfactory for both pharmacists and patients.

Based on patient feedback, accessing care at the pharmacy clinic has diverted over 10 per cent of patients from emergency departments and over 25 per cent from walk-in clinics.

“To say the program has been a success would be an understatement,” said Allison Bodnar, CEO of PANS, in a news release.

“At a time where there are healthcare human resource challenges everywhere, this model, which enables pharmacists to work to their full scope, is essential to attract and retain new professionals to Nova Scotia.”

The project, which includes the provincial government and Nova Scotia Health, launched two years ago. Between February 2023 and October 2024, over 218,000 health-care services were provided at CPPCC sites, according to the PANS.

The top services included prescription renewals, strep throat assessments, minor ailments, and chronic disease management support.

“These clinics are changing the face of healthcare in Nova Scotia. Our pharmacy teams are providing effective, accessible and timely care to Nova Scotians when and where they need it. We are excited to continue this work to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia,” said Laurie Deal, chair of the board for PANS, in the release.

PANS has identified opportunities to improve the project, including:

• implementing strategies for improving communication, collaboration, referral process
• better IT integration throughout the system
• more education about the care provided by pharmacy professionals

The CPPCC Demonstration Project began with 12 sites and has expanded to 46 clinics across the province that will continue to provide care now that the pilot has ended. Nova Scotians with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card can make appointments online.

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