Ambulatory clinic to open in Barrington

“It will be the first of its kind in Nova Scotia,” said branch executive director, Suzanne D’Entremont.

Two VON Registered Nurses in consultation with Barrington physicians and a Nurse Practitioner will run the new clinic.

The nursing staff can provide immunizations, injections of B12, Iron and Depo-Provera as well as assess their clients’ other various needs.

According to D’Entremont, the clinic stemmed from concerns, and need, raised by the community after some physicians left the Barrington area, leaving many from the community without medical care.

Although the Barrington physicians have been replaced, D’Entremont said she realizes the clinic is still necessary.

“We are providing an alternate level of care that will decrease wait times in emergency (departments) and outpatients and decrease the pressure of acute care in the hospitals,” explained D’Entremont.

Clients will be able to avoid travel and wait times, she said, adding some of their clients normally served at home won’t need to sit around all day waiting for a nurse to arrive.

The South West Health provided the clinic with $15,302 to get them started and running for a year.

The appointment-only clinic will run every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.