‘This is your best bet’: Sackville’s new primary care clinic is starting small, but at least its starting
A new primary care clinic operated by Horizon will grow to operate as a ‘patient medical home’ serving the region, and eventually providing some after hours care, according to updates by Horizon Health Network managers at a public meeting on October 12 in Sackville.
About 60 community members gathered to hear updates from the leadership of the Horizon Health Network, about half as many as gathered in July for a similar meeting. Both meetings were organized by MLA Megan Mitton.
Richard Lemay is Horizon’s director of primary health care for the Moncton area and one of the people spearheading the creation of a new community clinic located in the Tantramar Community Health Centre, a privately owned building across the parking lot from the Sackville Memorial Hospital. Lemay said the clinic opened on September 11, and as of October 6 has seen 154 people, with 163 appointments in total. The clinic alternates between opening three days and four days a week, depending on availability of staff. There’s a registered nurse, two administrators, and three physicians working part time in the clinic so far, including Dr. Catherine Johnston, and Dr. Sarah Thomas working virtually. Lemay says Horizon has funding for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and nurse practitioner (NP), plus “a bit of casual support”. He told the meeting Horizon is “trying to fill those positions at this time,” and said there is also an outstanding posting for a nurse practitioner at the Port Elgin Health Clinic.… Continue