Better Access, Better Care initiatives are providing residents in West Prince with improved access to emergency and primary health care services, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“The introduction of the Collaborative Emergency Centre has allowed Western Hospital to remain open 24 hours a day while freeing up our family physicians to see more patients,” said the minister. “Residents of West Prince can access quality, reliable emergency overnight care while also having better access to their family physicians when they need an appointment.”
In November, round-the-clock emergency medical care was restored to Western Hospital when the Collaborative Emergency Centre was opened. Operating as a traditional emergency department during daytime hours and Collaborative Emergency Centre overnight, residents of West Prince have consistent and reliable access to emergency services at Western Hospital.
Physicians who work at Western Hospital’s emergency department and operate a family practice are now able to better balance their time. In conjunction with the added support of two nurse practitioners, they have been able to provide an additional 796 patient appointments since November compared to the same time last year.
Since November, 309 patients have visited Western Hospital’s Collaborative Emergency Centre during overnight hours for emergency medical care.
Improved access to health care services in the West Prince region has been further supported by the 8-1-1 telehealth service. Launched last September under the Better Access, Better Care initiative, Prince Edward Island’s 24-hour telehealth service has received nearly 8,800 phone calls from Islanders, including residents of West Prince.
“We are pleased with the progress being made and improved access residents have to emergency and primary care,” says Health PEI CEO Dr. Richard Wedge. “As we move forward, we will continue to monitor services and resources to ensure that we continue to provide them with better access to better care.”
For more information, visit www.betteraccessbettercare.ca.