MEMBERTOU, CAPE BRETON – Nova Scotia Health has opened a mobile medical clinic in Sydney to help deal with primary care needs in the area.

Located at the Seventh Exchange on Churchill Drive Extension in Membertou, which is not in the community but near the new retail outlet being built that can be seen from Highway 125, the clinic will be open until Oct. 6.

Operations from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, nurse practitioners are onsite to provide care as well as paramedics from Emergency Health Services.

There is also a public health mobile COVID-19 testing station.

Georgia White of Sydney Mines took her 20-month-old son to the clinic on Friday and was grateful for the service.

“I thought it was very convenient. It is a very good set-up and well organized,” she said.

Her son, Easton Lewis, had been sick for a few days and not getting better.

Unable to get a doctor’s appointment for her son because the office, as well as her home, was left without power due to hurricane strength post-tropical storm Fiona, White decided to go to the mobile health clinic.

White and her son drove up to the clinic, were quickly triaged and sent to the COVID-19 testing tent and given a 4 p.m. appointment time to return. Because the clinic could accommodate them immediately, the medical professionals moved her appointment up so she wouldn’t have to go back to Sydney Mines then return to Sydney later that day.

“It is in a good location and easy to get to once you know where it is,” White said. “It is so much better than waiting for hours in the ER (emergency room/department) or waiting weeks to get a doctor’s appointment.”

According to a press release sent on Thursday (September 29), the primary health care strategy was implemented by Nova Scotia Health to help bridge the “gap for primary care services currently being experienced in this area.”

“We know gaps in access to primary care exist across the province,” the release said. “We are starting this service in Sydney as one of the areas most affected by Hurricane Fiona.”

Along with in person care there is a medical team onsite also providing virtual care.

Medical concerns the clinic is equipped to handle include:

Prescription refills or renewals

Minor respiratory symptoms

Sore throat

Earaches

Fever

Headache

Rashes

Minor gastrointestinal concerns (vomiting and diarrhea)

Cough, flu or cold symptoms

Urinary tract infections

Muscle pain

Minor pelvic pain or abdominal pain

Medical issues the clinic cannot deal with include:

Stroke/facial weakness

New onset of weakness

Heart attack/chest pain or tightness

Unable to wake/unconscious

Sudden onset of severe headache or confusion

Seizure and/or severe head injury

Major assault

Severe difficulty breathing or trouble speaking

Uncontrolled or severe bleeding

Major trauma such as loss of limb or laceration

Severe allergic reaction

Severe burns

For these instances, it is recommended to call 911.

There is also no access to lab or diagnostic imaging services at the mobile clinic.

Appointment spots are limited at the clinic as well and future locations will be announced at a later date.

To get to the mobile primary care health clinic at Seventh Exchange in Membertou take exit 7A off of Highway 125. It is located just past the John Deere retail outlet.