Three new health homes opening in the Halifax area

Three new health homes in HRM – including the Hobsons Lake Health Home in Beechville, which opened recently – are expected to take on more than 20,000 patients. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

More than 20,000 people from the Need a Family Practice Registry will have access to a health-care provider as three new health homes open in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).

The Nova Scotia government says health homes provide patients with access to a comprehensive care team of health-care professionals.

The Hobsons Lake Health Home opened last month in Beechville and has the capacity for about 8,600 patients.

The location currently has a family physician, nurse practitioner and a family practice nurse, with plans to increase staffing to:

• six physicians
• three family practice nurses
• two nurse practitioners
• one full-time and one part-time licensed practical nurse

The Citadel Health Home in downtown Halifax and the Needham Health Home in Halifax’s north end are expected to be fully operational by October, according to a news release from the Nova Scotia government.

Once operational Citadel will have the capacity for about 6,000 patients, four physicians, one nurse practitioner, three family practice nurses and one licensed practical nurse.

Needham will have the capacity for about 8,600 patients, six physicians, one nurse practitioner, three family practice nurses and one licensed practical nurse.

“We continue to build and strengthen health homes across the province, so patients have access to comprehensive primary healthcare in their communities,” said Adegoke Fadare, MLA for Clayton Park West, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “These health homes will have a significant impact on further reducing the number of people waiting on the Need a Family Practice Registry.”

Over time, the government plans to include clerical support and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, social workers or dietitians at the three health homes.

“The development of health homes across Central Zone is a key part of our strategy to strengthen access to primary care and reduce the number of people waiting for a provider,” said Kolten MacDonell, director of Primary Health Care for Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health. “These clinics will not only connect more than 20,000 people from the Need a Family Practice Registry with a primary care team, but also support long-term system transformation through multidisciplinary staffing, improved co-ordination, and a focus on patient-centred care.”

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