By: Laura Todesco
Sue is a Nurse Practitioner working in innovation who thrives on and believes in providing care through collaboration. She joined the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic+, a partnership between Nova Scotia Health and Lawtons Drugs, because she likes the idea of teaming up with different healthcare professionals to optimize patient care.
This innovative model brings together a Pharmacist and a Nurse Practitioner in a clinical setting to make it easier for Nova Scotians to access care closer to home.
"It’s good to be innovative and the team is amazing. We have been able to work with each other's strengths and complement each other’s skills to provide a better experience for our patients. It has been exciting to see the pharmacists I am collaborating with working in their full scope of practice."
Sue studied at Brock University and graduated as a Nurse Practitioner from McMaster University in Hamilton. After graduation, she worked in primary and palliative care and as an emergency nurse before moving to Nova Scotia in January 2020.
Embedded as the Nurse Practitioner at the Pharmacy Walk-in Clinic+ Cobequid (Lower Sackville) site, Sue will also be supporting the newest clinic in Mill Cove (Bedford) location to diagnose and treat patients.
"Patients are very relieved to find that their needs can be met at the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic, particularly when it comes to undiagnosed or uncontrolled symptoms. We also treat some episodic illness, like complicated urinary tract infections."
When discussing the impact on patient experience, Sue highlights how this collaborative model has led to increased access to non-urgent care for Nova Scotians.
"I love being able to say, ‘Yes, I can help,’ to patients who walk in the door. They are so tired by the time we see them that they are so relieved that we can help them! We can do a lot here, ordering their tests, managing their conditions and making referrals to specialists us. We're working to increase access to care for Nova Scotians."
Sue emphasizes how this model also helps patients manage their chronic diseases in communities ensuring they receive timely and appropriate care, which helps ease the burden on emergency departments.
Sue supports patients in managing their chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The services provide patients with the treatments and knowledge necessary for them to manage their conditions better and stay out of the Emergency Department.
More information on the Nova Scotia Health and Sobeys and Lawtons Drugs partnership can be found here: Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic.
