Nova Scotia’s Cobequid Health Centre Expansion Faces Uncertainty

The proposed expansion of the Cobequid Community Health Centre in Lower Sackville is now uncertain, nearly three years after its announcement by the Nova Scotia Government. The expansion was part of a broader health-care initiative introduced by Premier Tim Houston in December 2022, which included plans for new in-patient beds and emergency department improvements across the province. Originally, the Cobequid was slated to receive its first 36 in-patient beds, with work expected to commence in 2025.

Since that announcement, little progress has been reported, prompting members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) to hold a news conference outside the health centre. NDP Leader Claudia Chender criticized the government for failing to follow through on its commitments. “This is a government that says that they are a government of action, that says that they have been elected to fix problems — in particular health care — and in this facility behind me, we have seen nothing,” Chender stated.

With the population of Lower Sackville increasing significantly over the past 15 years, the demand for services at the Cobequid has surged. Patients often travel from areas such as Halifax, Dartmouth, and Windsor to access care, which puts additional pressure on a facility that lacks a 24-hour emergency department. As a result, there have been instances where patients have been turned away. Recently, MLA Paul Wozney highlighted an alarming day when patients faced wait times exceeding 70 hours due to overcrowding.

The situation has drawn attention not only from lawmakers but also from medical professionals. Following an incident that highlighted the strain on the Cobequid, Wozney reached out to Health Minister Michelle Thompson on November 5 to discuss the pressing issues. As of Wednesday, he noted that he had yet to receive a response from the minister regarding the situation.

Calls for accountability have intensified, with Wozney emphasizing the need for the government to fulfill its promises to the community. “Tim Houston and Michelle Thompson need to keep their promise to fix health care and provide the people of Sackville with the peace of mind that they deserve,” he said.

Despite the rising concerns, the Nova Scotia Health Department has not provided a clear update on the status of the Cobequid expansion. A preliminary statement from the department praised the government’s overall efforts in health care but did not specify any timeline for the Cobequid project. In response to inquiries, a spokesperson indicated that the government is still assessing community needs through a master planning process, suggesting that final decisions regarding the expansion have yet to be made.

As the community continues to await clarity on the future of the Cobequid Community Health Centre, the lack of communication from the government raises questions about the long-term commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of Lower Sackville residents.