Eighty-six dialysis patients who are currently receiving treatment at the Bayer’s Lake Community Outpatient Centre will soon be temporarily relocated after moisture caused the flooring to bubble and lift, according to Nova Scotia Health.
The temporary relocation is expected to begin Sept. 28 and continue until around Dec. 7.
The clinic currently operates 24 dialysis chairs six days a week.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson says that while repairs are being completed, seven patients are going to Bridgewater for treatment, while the rest are headed downtown to the Victoria General Hospital (VG).
‘It’s surprising’
There were some concerns about repairs being needed at such a newly established clinic, and about so many dialysis patients being moved to a hospital known for being rundown.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender says, “One of the driving reasons it [dialysis treatment] was moved to Bayer’s Lake was because the VG is a horrific place to be, whether you’re a patient or staff.”
The Bayer’s Lake facility has been operating for less than three years, officially opening to the public in late November 2023.
When Liberal Leader Iain Rankin learned about the “planned closure” in July, he says he was surprised a new building needed repairs already.
He worries about accessibility problems on the peninsula adding to stress for patients being moved downtown, who now have to deal with the added burden of travel times and parking issues on top of spending time receiving care in a not-so-nice place.
Chender notes Thompson has spoken of innovative care models and other places to receive treatment, so patients are still hoping for a temporary location “where they can access, park, the water is safe to drink, and they’re not stuffed into that building [VG].”
She questions whether the Health department looked for alternative options, or if it pushed people to the VG because it was the easy option.
“We know that there are clinical programs now being delivered in new builds – like Richmond Yards and Halifax Shopping Centre. What we want to know is whether there’s been due diligence, or whether it was just low-hanging fruit – ‘let’s shove them back in the VG’ – which is a very difficult place to receive care right now.”
‘I don’t want folks to be afraid to go to dialysis.’
Thompson assures that the closure was planned and that patients will receive the same level of care wherever they go, as the program is “standardized across the province.”
“People should be assured no matter where they get their dialysis, they are getting a high standard of care. So, I appreciate when you’re used to going to one facility that that’s a worry for folks, but the care is fine.”
She remains focused on the quality of care, saying the VG meets the requirements, so “people don’t need to worry where they’re going.”
However, Thompson did not comment on other major concerns raised surrounding accessibility.
