Improving Access to Healthcare
Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund
Applications are now open for the third annual Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund. Up to $100,000 is available for projects that encourage healthcare professionals and their families to move to and stay in Nova Scotia, reduce social and cultural barriers, and create a welcoming environment. Applications are open until February 21, 2025.
For more information please visit: https://novascotia.ca/ohpr-community-fund
New Centre to Support More International Medical Graduates
In just one year, this program will license more doctors than the old system did in five. This new centre is changing how we train and license doctors in Nova Scotia—here’s how it works:
Four internationally trained graduates are providing care for 2,500 patients under the supervision of Nova Scotian doctors to evaluate their skills.
The program will expand to support over 6,400 patients as more doctors join.
Once the doctors pass, they get their license and sign a three-year return-to-service agreement, keeping them right here in Nova Scotia.
This is a faster, smarter way to bring more healthcare professionals into the system—helping us deliver better care for every Nova Scotian.
Learn more about how we’re Making it Happen here: New Centre to Support More International Medical Graduates | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases
Reducing Red Tape, Eliminating Burden for Doctors
Our PC government is cutting red tape to help doctors deliver more care, faster. We've saved doctors time by:
Banning sick notes, saving doctors more than 67,000 hours annually of unnecessary visits.
Establishing 46 pharmacy locations around the province, saving doctors more than 86,000 hours annually.
Hiring more physician assistants, saving doctors more than 56,000 hours annually.
Establishing and improving the province’s electronic medical record systems, saving doctors a minimum of 23,000 hours annually.
We'll keep working hard to help doctors spend more time with their patients and less time on paperwork.
Learn more here: Province Focuses on Reducing Red Tape, Eliminating Burden for Doctors | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases
Local Healthcare Access Points
Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic +
The Pharmacist Plus Clinics are another way we're improving access to healthcare for all Nova Scotians.
The Truro Lawton's Pharmacist Plus Clinic is a walk-in clinic that has a nurse practitioner and pharmacists working as a team to provide a variety of health care services, from primary care to chronic disease prevention and management.
Services include:
Diagnosing and treating routine and more immediate health concerns
Prescribing medications and prescriptions renewals
Medication management or modifications
Chronic disease management
Health screening and preventative care
Ordering and interpreting tests
Vaccinations and injections
Making referrals to specialists and other health care providers
Lawton’s Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic + 316 Willow Street, Suite 20 902-896-0987
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Monday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Tuesday | 12:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
Wednesday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Thursday | 12:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic
Pharmacist-led clinics provide an extended suite of pharmacy primary care services at no charge to people with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.
These services include assessment and prescribing for:
Strep Throat
Pink Eye
UTIs
Chronic Disease Management (Diabetes, Asthma, COPD)
Prescription renewals for all medications and more
Publicly funded vaccines for adults and children are also available at these clinics as well as medical injections.
The Medicine Shoppe Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic 1B-664 Prince Street 902-814-2679
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Monday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Tuesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Wednesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Thursday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Saturday | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
Sunday | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
VirtualCareNS
Did you know that Nova Scotians with a primary care provider get two free visits through VirtualCareNS per year? And that those without a primary care provider have unlimited access to virtual care?
To learn more about VirtualCareNS and to register today, visit: www.virtualcarens.ca
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Senior's Care Grant
The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services like lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, transportation, small home repairs and phone service, healthcare services like physiotherapy and mental health support and home heating.
Grants are $750 for each household and applications are open until 31 March 2025.
Heating Assistance Rebate Program
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-and modest-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating.
Rebates are $600 for each household and applications are open until 31 March 2025.
Grant Finder Tool
Use this service to find grants and funding programs offered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage that you may be eligible to apply for.
The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage helps businesses and communities grow by providing program and event funding for arts, culture and heritage, sport and recreation, cultural identity and languages, and tourism.
Grants and funding programs are available for:
businesses
individuals
non-profit groups (like charities, community groups and social enterprises)
January in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River
Deuville's Salmon River Community Skate
On January 11, I had a blast joining members of the community in Salmon River at the community skate at Deuville's! Thank you to Ellory for hosting this fun filled day.
During the community skate, I had the pleasure of meeting Dwayne Carroll, Truro’s first Special Olympic figure skater. Dwayne will be participating in the Nova Scotia Winter Games 2025 in Greenwood this February - best of luck to you, Dwayne!
Village Family PharmaChoice Celebrates 20 Year Milestone
On January 13, I had the pleasure of presenting a congratulatory certificate to the staff at Village Family PharmaChoice in Bible Hill in celebration and recognition of their 20th anniversary!
Thank you, Village Family PharmaChoice, for your many years of service and dedication to our community.
Salmon River Fire Brigade Annual Awards Banquet
The Salmon River Fire Brigade held its Annual Awards Banquet on January 18, with great attendance and participation with members and community.
Willis Siddal Trophy For Officer Of The Year - Troy Woodworth
Fred Hatfield Memorial Award For Firefighter Of The Year - Ray Weatherby
Ducky Doyle Annual Fellowship Trophy - Larry Weatherby Jr, Larry Weatherby Sr, Chrissy Lindsay
Most Improved Firefighter - Ted Dykeman
Jim Johnson Attendance Award - Chrissy Lindsay
Carl Shaw Education Award - Matthew Campbell
Junior Firefighter Of The Year Award - Shane Campbell
There were also several longer service awards given. Congrats to everyone and thanks for all that you do!
Special Olympics Donut Fundraiser
On January 31, I was excited to pick up a few Special Olympics Donuts at Tim Hortons.
From January 31st - February 2nd, when you buy a Special Olympics Donut from your local Tim Hortons- 100% of the proceeds will go to daily community sport programming and to support athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in your community.
Apex: The Black Masters Premiere
This past summer, it was the 50th Anniversary of the Apex Invitational Golf Tournament, founded in 1974 by a young black resident of Truro, Darrell Maxwell. Over the years, this event has grown into a type of homecoming, celebrating the black communities around Truro, and their contributions, and bringing families and friends together from all over.
Traditionally held the first weekend in August at the Truro Golf Club, the tournament sees 110+ players participate in the 2-day event. The Apex is one of the longest-running golf tournaments in Nova Scotia golf history.
On January 31, Amber and I were honored to attend the premiere of Apex: The Black Masters at the Cineplex in Millbrook. This film by A&B Roll Films highlights the the Apex Invitational and the story behind the golf tournament, and will air in February on CBC Gem.
February is African Heritage Month
The Town of Truro is featuring a lot of educational and entertaining events and activities in honour of African Heritage Month - check out the schedule below!
As always, I remain deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be your MLA.
If you know of anyone who would be interested in receiving future editions of this newsletter, please contact the constituency office at 902-897-0884 or mlaritcey@gmail.com, or visit www.daveritcey.ca to view the newsletter and more community updates.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Dave Ritcey
MLA Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River