QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department is working with reduced space, which may lead to delays for those with less urgent concerns. Learn more here.
Starting Saturday, December 14, the entrance to the QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department will change to 1840 Bell Road. Learn more.
The Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team is working to bring healthcare to the communities of Colchester, East Hants and Cumberland. With a goal of providing comprehensive care to rural areas, the team travels around offering primary healthcare, resources, information and other services to help improve the overall well-being of their patients and help them navigate the healthcare system effectively.
The strength of this team lies in its multidisciplinary approach to health. The team is made up of a family practice nurse, an emotional wellness counsellor, a pharmacist, a dietitian, a social worker, an administrative support staff and a mobile unit driver. They’re currently in the process of onboarding occupational therapists and recruiting for a nurse practitioner which will further expand the services they can offer.
Through collaboration, the team aims to provide a well-rounded service that addresses both the physical and emotional health of their patients.
“We’re really proud of our holistic team and all the different skill sets that we can offer, because it's not often that you go into a traditional clinic space and you’re able to meet with a counselor, a dietitian, a pharmacist and a nurse all in the same space,” said Chelsea Swanwick, Health Services Lead, Colchester East Hants Network.
Family practice nurses are able to address a number of primary healthcare needs, including the review of health screenings, wound care and the management of issues like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Pharmacists are able to help treat minor illnesses and prescribe a number of medications, provide refills, do medication reviews, provide chronic disease management and much more.
Dietitians play a crucial role in promoting long-term health through nutrition. “I work with patients to assess their dietary needs and provide guidance on nutrition plans that manage chronic diseases and promote overall health and wellness” said Yue Li, Registered Dietitian on the Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness how our mobile approach makes healthcare more accessible and helps bridge gaps in care.”
Social workers provide invaluable support for those facing life's challenges, from coping with illness to navigating financial concerns. “As a social worker, my goal is to help as many people as possible. In traditional clinical settings, this often requires a referral from a family practitioner, which can be a barrier. However, with the Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team, our services are accessible to everyone without needing a referral or family practitioner,” said Kamla A. Williams, Registered Social Worker on the Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team.
Similarly, emotional wellness counsellors can help you take care of your mental health through wellness programs, providing skills and strategies to manage your emotions, thoughts and behaviors, and connecting you to community and health resources.
The addition of occupational therapists and a nurse practitioner will have a big effect on services offered. Occupational Therapists are registered healthcare professionals who can help people with daily activities through personalized assessments and treatments. They support mobility, self-care, productivity, leisure, and skill-building in areas like fall prevention, staying active, and seasonal safety.
“A nurse practitioner will open a lot of doors for us in terms of diagnostics, assessments and prescribing,” added Swanwick.
“Our approach really allows our staff and providers the opportunity to collaborate with one another in real time. For example, our pharmacist and our emotional wellness counselor were recently able to consult with a patient together and their needs were met on the spot,” said Swanwick. “It's a unique way to receive care. You’re getting treated out of a mobile unit or community centre and you’re getting more than one need met at a time.”
The team has been on the road since January 2024, and they’re a lifeline for those in rural communities who may otherwise struggle to access the care they need.
Each patient’s care journey with the Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team begins with a warm welcome and a supportive intake process. From there, the team works together to provide the most relevant resources and care options, which may include on-on-one consults or group education sessions. Follow-up can be arranged in person or virtually, ensuring that patients receive the support they need, when they need it.
The van is equipped with an internet connection and the team can even help guide patients through using VirtualCareNS which allows them to see a physician or nurse practitioner virtually.
The Northern Zone Mobile Health and Wellness Team’s main goal is to make healthcare easier to access in the communities they serve. The team was originally formed based on a recommendation in the Mass Casualty Commission’s final report which aims to improve access to health and mental health supports in Colchester, Cumberland and Hants Counties.
“It’s healthcare that comes to you and meets you where you're at. Whether it be your local library, fire hall, senior centre or farmers market, we're trying to think outside of the box and set our unit up where there is the most need. We’re always thinking about how we can be the most accessible and how we can reduce barriers to care,” said Swanwick.
To remove barriers even further, you can self-refer or drop in during scheduled hours. There’s no waitlist and no referral needed.
“I believe we’ve had a positive impact in the several months that we've been out on the road. We’ve received feedback that we're a very approachable team,” said Swanwick.
The team is also actively involved in the community by collaborating with groups such as resource centres, libraries, food literacy groups, housing support and First Nations communities and attending wellness events and fairs. They also work with different Nova Scotia Health teams in areas such as primary care, mental health, youth health, grief and bereavement. “We do a little bit of everything,” Swanwick added.
“I think as our team continues to grow, we’ll be able to offer so much more in terms of healthcare services and supporting the community. It's really exciting,” said Swanwick. “Our aim is to make every patient feel heard, supported, and empowered to take control of their health."