Corbett recently relocated from Newfoundland where she worked for the Eastern Health Authority in St. John’s.

“It’s a wonderful challenge,” she says of her new role. “People are getting older and living longer and sometimes with that comes chronic disease; as well, some people have difficulties accessing health care.”

Corbett was hired to fill a need in the counties that reflect a growing problem most rural areas in Nova Scotia face, an aging population and not enough health care services to meet the demand.

Many physicians have stopped taking new patients due to an overwhelming workload and with physicians leaving, some patients have been left without proper access to health care.

Nurse Practitioners do not replace any member of the health care team but, instead, add to and strengthen it through collaboration.

“She is meant to complement and provide (to the existing health care team),” says Melanie Mooney, Primary Health Care Manager, whose role in administrative support is there to help integrate the NP into the health care system.

A NP has a Registered Nursing background with additional education in health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of illnesses and injuries.

They can diagnose and treat common illnesses, order tests, refer patients to other health-care professionals and prescribe medications.

Corbett says a much-needed aspect of the NP’s role is to educate patients and their families on health promotion and disease prevention.

“Some patients end up in emergency because they are not sure how to take their medications properly. What we want to do is to have people healthier and living at home longer.”

Corbett, based out of Yarmouth Regional Hospital, will be providing her valuable service throughout the district at various clinics and nursing homes.

This support will also help to reduce the number of long-term patients using emergency departments for illness.

Referrals from a physician are not a requirement but a person needing a NP’s services can call the hospital at 902-742-3542 ext 460.