On December 16 the Hon. Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Health, officially opened the new collaborative practice area at the Annapolis Community Health Centre in Annapolis Royal.

Four family doctors and one nurse practitioner and public health nurse have moved into and will be working out of a newly renovated wing of the health centre. With the redevelopment of one wing of ACHC, primary health care in the Annapolis area will be strengthened as healthcare providers work even more closely together.

“This new collaborative practice arrangement and redevelopment of the centre are a good example of primary healthcare in action in the community,” stated the Hon. Angus MacIsaac, in a release. “Healthcare in the Annapolis Royal area has been evolving over the last eighty years. This community, its people and Annapolis Valley Health have worked hard to create a comprehensive vision for community health centres, which will be key to promoting population health. Today, residents of this community and Annapolis Valley Health moved closer to their vision for the district which is healthier people, caring communities and valued healthcare teams.”

Earlier in the day, Minister MacIsaac participated in the first Quality and Patient Safety open house at Valley Regional Hospital. The Minister had the opportunity to view first hand a number of programs, services and projects underway in AVH. “Innovation, creative solutions and strong partnerships have been the theme of my visit,” said Minister MacIsaac. “Getting an opportunity to tour a district like Annapolis Valley Health helps me see and understand how AVH is working on the continuum of healthcare throughout a diverse district like this one.”

(Source: AVH press release, December 16, 2005)