Newcomer Health Clinic gets funding boost

HALIFAX — Dr. Tim Holland got a little emotional Tuesday when addressing assembled media after the province announced a funding boost for the Newcomer Health Clinic.

With an additional $684,000 coming to the clinic every year, its budget is effectively tripled.

Holland, the clinic's medical lead, said the money will go a long way toward helping refugees and immigrants in dire need of a variety of health care.

“These are happy tears,” he said. “This is a big deal.”

The funding, which was previously announced in the provincial budget, will be used for additional services and staff, according to a news release. Hiring will include a social worker to help match newcomers to appropriate service providers, a family practice nurse and a co-ordinator to help families navigate services through the IWK Health Centre.

WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS

Refugees can access a variety of health services at the clinic as they go through the transition process to find a family practice in the community.

Holland said newcomers face challenges from global health issues like tropical infections, parasites, mental health needs, PTSD, nutrient deficiencies, dental care and vision care. They also have no experience in navigating the health system in Canada.

He added that the investment in the clinic is another part of a smart, strategic focus on the part of the provincial government.

“This investment is an absolute game changer for us and the patients we serve. There's still a myriad of challenges facing newcomer health and I don't want to gloss over the work yet to be done. The newcomer health clinic is just a small part of the overall solution and it will take ongoing dedication to be able to ensure that the entire health care system can provide equitable access to newcomers.”

The investment puts the clinic on long-term sustainable footing, whereas just a year ago, it couldn't take any more patients.

FILLING THE GAPS

The newcomers coming to the clinic do not take service away from other Nova Scotians waiting for their own health-care service, Holland said.

“Refugees in Nova Scotia are placed on the 811 list like everyone else and wait just like everyone else for their permanent family doctor or nurse practitioner,” he said. “However, during that first year in Canada, while they're waiting for their permanent primary care provider, the Newcomer Health Clinic provides specialized care for the special health needs that refugees often face.”

It fills the gaps to help newcomers get back on their feet, Holland said, but the investment is also about doing the right thing, he added.

“When faced with a world that seems to be falling apart at the seams, Nova Scotia is doing something.”

Holland said further funding has helped in parallel to this announcement to help with physician recruitment for the clinic.

“Right now, we're still super strapped thin,” he said. “As of October, we'll probably be at about four full-time equivalent physicians.”

There is still a backlog of patients to get through, Holland said. He hopes to eventually reach an equilibrium where the number of newcomers who progress on to their permanent primary health-care provider matches the number of new people coming in.

“It's critical to understand that while these images on television kind of pull at your heartstrings whether it's something that's … on CNN or CBC, this is happening all over the world, in so many terrible crises,” he said. “These are people that we see every day and hear these stories, hence why I get emotional, because I'm picturing all these people that have been through the most terrible things imaginable, and so it's great to know that Nova Scotia can be their home and can offer that hospitality and care that we're known for.”

TAILORED CARE

Nova Scotia Health Minister Michelle Thompson made the announcement at the clinic, which is located at the Mumford Professional Centre and is a partnership between Nova Scotia Health, local physicians, the Immigrant Settlement Association of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Refugee Clinic and the IWK.

“(The money) will help the clinic support more patients and expand in order to offer more services to newcomers,” Thompson said.

“The clinic plays an important role as the service provider tailored to meet the care needs of the newcomer community. This investment will make a difference in the lives of people who come from places where political instability, war or civil unrest means services like a health checkup, vaccinations or access to medication may be lacking or completely unavailable.”

Thompson said having this clinic helps relieve some of the pressures on the health system as well as helping the needs of the newcomers.

Jennifer Watts, CEO of ISANS, said the organization is thrilled with their commitment to support their colleagues.

“The Newcomer Health Clinic has been an absolutely critical partner for us in terms of supporting refugees that are arriving,” Watts said. “We've had a close working relationship over numerous years and so their expanded ability to offer services is just wonderful.”

Julie Chamagne, executive director of the Halifax Refugee Clinic, one of the partner organizations with ISANS said the funding announcement is incredibly important.

“And it's important to remember that refugee claimants and non-status migrants who have all sorts of barriers to access to care and other services in the community are served by the Newcomer Health Clinic and so this funding is incredibly impactful and will help all sorts of people arriving in Canada to safety, who are fleeing persecution.”