Rawdon Hills Health Centre celebrates grand opening

Dr. Barbara O’Neil ran a community healthcare service in less than ideal conditions for the last four years; until recently, she had been stationed in a basement in a local church.

Now, with the grand opening of the Rawdon Hills Community Health Centre July 20, O’Neil will have a more professional place to work -- and it’s all in light of local support.

It’s amazing such a small community was able to draw up the funds for this facility, O’Neil said. “I can’t thank the community enough for this beautiful building they built.”

It will be great for local residents who need proper care and for students looking to get into the practice, O’Neil said. “Exposing students to a rural practice is so important.

“I’ve always worked in a rural setting because I think people appreciate you work more in these areas,” O’Neil noted. “I think I know patients better than I would in an urban setting… I see them around … and get to know them as a person rather than a patient.”

The people of the Rawdon Hills first realized a need for local primary healthcare in the area following a study started by the East Hants Community Health Board in 2000. Residents worked for over eight years to raise funds and make this new non-profit facility a reality.

Iain Macdonald, on the Rawdon Hills Health Centre board of directors, said there are health problems in the area, which can now be targeted locally at the new Health Centre.

An awful lot of baking went into this building over the last eight years as residents of the area hosted countless card game galas, dances, auctions and other fundraisers to support the costs of the facility, Macdonald said. “I’m proud to have been a part of this project.”

Board chair Wayne Pick said Dr. Barbara O’Neil, receptionist Vanda Neil, office manager Kathy Blois, community heath nurse Barbara Campbell, foot care specialist Cyndy Withrow and mental health physiologist Elaine Campbell make up a great team working together for the new clinic.

It is a challenge anywhere in the province right now to get a healthcare team together, Pick said. “This is an example of primary care that other communities should look to.”