Preimier Danielle Smith, Brooks Mayor John Petrie, Shoppers Drug Mart president Jeff Leger and SDM representatives came together for the official opening of Brooks' new pharmacist-led health clinic Dec. 9. - TWITTER PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
A new pharmacist-led health clinic which opened last week in Brooks aims to extend medical care options for residents of southeast Alberta.
Located in the city’s Shoppers Drug Mart, the clinic is the first of four new clinics opening across the province in areas described as “traditionally under-serviced” – with the three other clinics opening in Red Deer, Fort Saskatchewan and Edson.
The decision to open additional pharmacist-led clinics comes approximately six months after the province welcomed its first in Lethbridge this June, to much success says Shoppers president Jeff Leger.
“Initial results from the Lethbridge clinic have far exceeded our expectations, with an average of more than 40 patient visits each day,” Leger said in a Dec. 8 statement.
“There is an obvious need for services,” Leger said. “And by making certain services available … in a pharmacist clinic setting, we can help address some of the gaps that have emerged in primary health-care systems, providing patients with more options and ultimately better outcomes.”
While the range of services offered at the clinics were already available through pharmacist consultation – services like vaccination administration, medication prescription, minor illness and injury assessment and lab referrals – officials believe offering such in a clinic setting will result in a reduction of visits to urgent care centres and emergency rooms.
That belief appears to be shared by Alberta Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith, who was present at the clinic’s opening Friday.
In a Friday tweet, Smith said: “I’m thrilled to be in my home constituency of Brooks-Medicine Hat today to announce a new walk-in clinic and pharmacy to provide extended health care to patients.”
The Brooks clinic operates on a walk-in and appointment basis, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
