Following a pair of recent health care announcements, Antigonish MLA and Health Minister
Antigonish MLA and Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson
Michelle Thompson said the province has a number of items they are still working on.
Last week, Thompson announced a new electronic record system to improve healthcare. Known as One Person One Record (OPOR), it will replace or connect more than 80 systems used daily to record and view patient information. OPOR will allow healthcare professionals at any health facility in the province to access a patient’s complete, up-to-date information at any time. The program It will start rolling out at hospitals and mental health and addiction facilities within two years.
Also last week, the department announced the Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics program, which will be piloted in 12 pharmacies across Nova Scotia, including one in Ne Glasgow, with more locations expected in the spring.
Pharmacists in these clinics will have dedicated time to see patients with common illnesses and people who are on medications for chronic diseases like diabetes, and cardiovascular and lung disease. They will also provide care for strep throat, including testing, diagnosis and treatment, something that has not been available through pharmacies previously.
