From left to right: Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst, Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill and Dr. Drew Bethune after a cancer care funding announcement at Yarmouth Regional Hospital on June 11/2021. (Y95 News Photo)
The provincial government says they’re investing nearly one million dollars annually for improved cancer care in the Tri-Counties.
Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill made the announcement today at Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
The funding will cover the hiring of additional staff, medical supplies and other supports, so patients in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties can receive cancer care closer to home.
Churchill says this will result in fewer trips to the city for local patients.
“It will ensure that more people will have more access to cancer care here at home. I think is going to help save the lives of more people who are fighting cancer.”
This comes off the heels of a 2018 review of cancer services in Yarmouth, which recommended developing a suite of services to better support patients who may need specialty cancer services and treatment.
Nova Scotia Health’s senior medical director of the Cancer Care Program Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst says it’s amazing to see how the community came together.
“This will make a great difference in cancer care for patients in Southwestern Nova Scotia. This year, we expect about 6,900 new cancer cases in the province, and about 3,000 will die from cancer. This announcement means there’s better access, less travel, and high quality care for more patients.”
Dr. Drew Bethune, former senior medical director for Nova Scotia Health’s Cancer Care Program says this will have great benefit for our region.
“It will ease travel problems and improve survival rates. It’s just great news, and an example of great communication between government, the cancer care program and the community.”
The province says it will enhance support to navigate available drug programs, improve psychosocial care, increase access to hematology care, and add more nursing, pharmacy and clerical staff.
The province says 360 patients in Southwestern Nova Scotia received cancer treatment at Yarmouth Regional Hospital last year, and about 230 patients will benefit from less travel to Halifax.
