“I would like to congratulate all those who worked together to come up with this plan to improve access for patients who need same-day access to health care,” said Health Minister, Doug Currie. “This is a great step in implementing an integrated health care system across the province. Expanding the hours for same-day access in Souris helps to relieve pressure on the emergency rooms at Kings County Memorial and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals. This is one more positive move toward building a sustainable health care system for all Islanders focussing on primary care.”

Up until now, the walk-in clinics at the Eastern Kings Family Health Centre provided service mostly in the evenings, as well as morning clinics on Thursdays and weekends. Capacity at those clinics were limited to 20 patients during the week and 25 on the weekend. With the new model, the capacity limit for each day is removed and now there is no need for patients to pre-book appointments.

“This is wonderful news for the community,” said Allan Campbell, local MLA and Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development. “I am extremely pleased to see all areas of government, the community and health care providers working together. I would like to thank the physicians, staff and members of the former hospital board for their dedication and cooperation to help improve the system. The new model will help the system address the needs of local residents, help to stabilize urgent care services and increase access to physician services in Eastern Kings, now and into the future.”

The expanded hours are possible through the cooperation of the four family physicians, a nurse practitioner, management and staff of the Eastern Kings Family Health Centre and the Department of Health.