H漫画 plans to open a new community clinic in Halifax this fall designed to improve outcomes for Nova Scotians experiencing urgent respiratory health challenges.
The lung-care facility, to be located at Fenwick Medical Centre, was made possible through a $300,000 investment from biopharma company GSK Canada and in collaboration with Nova Scotia Health鈥檚 INSPIRED COPD Outreach Program, the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, and LungNSPEI.
The groundbreaking initiative represents a pivotal step in alleviating the province鈥檚 long-standing health system pressures, including long wait times for pulmonary testing and limited access to community-based, integrated chronic disease management.听
鈥淣ova Scotia presents a significant opportunity for advancing respiratory care innovation,鈥� said Sridhar Venkatesh, president and general manager of GSK Canada. 鈥淕SK is committed to uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of respiratory diseases, and we believe in supporting initiatives that have a meaningful impact on patients and communities.鈥�
Venkatesh also emphasized the power of working together.
鈥淭he Nova Scotia Lung Wellness Clinic is a beacon of what can be achieved through collaboration, and we鈥檙e proud to help shape a future where timely, proactive care can significantly improve the quality of life of people living with chronic lung conditions and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.鈥澨�
Left-right: Sridhar Venkatesh (President & General Manager, GSK Canada), Brenda Merritt (Dean, H漫画 University, Faculty of Health), Honourable Michelle Thompson (Minister of Health and Wellness. Nova Scotia), Sanja Stanojevic (Associate Professor, H漫画 University), Shawn White (Senior Manager, Government Affairs, GSK Canada), Catherine Gunn (Director, School of Health Sciences, H漫画 University), Robert MacDonald (President & CEO, LungNSPEI) and Dr. Todd Howlett (Senior Medical Director Innovation, NS Health Innovation Hub).
A game-changer for respiratory care in Nova Scotia
The cutting-edge clinic, scheduled to begin accepting patients in fall 2025, will serve as a cornerstone for community-based respiratory care, offering a comprehensive range of services focused on early intervention, chronic disease management, and patient education.听
Key offerings include:
- Spirometry testing and specialist interpretation to triage patients more efficiently and preserve hospital capacity for complex cases.听
- Smoking cessation support, provided via QuitNS and education programming.听
- Vaccination services for influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19.听
- Inhaler technique coaching and chronic disease self-management education to empower patients to take control of their health.听
- Exercise and wellness navigation, as well as follow-up care for unattached patients.听
The clinic will also provide important preventative care for patients with mild to moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and other chronic lung conditions. By improving patient outcomes, these patients will feel better, do better and their chance of presenting to an emergency department will be decreased, thereby alleviating strain on Nova Scotia鈥檚 healthcare system.听
This is a great example of industry, community, and the health-care system coming together to do things differently.
鈥淭his is a great example of industry, community, and the health-care system coming together to do things differently to better support Nova Scotians,鈥� said Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia鈥檚 minister of health and wellness. 鈥淭he Lung Wellness Clinic is an innovative approach that will offer Nova Scotians community-based respiratory care more quickly, support chronic disease management, and add capacity to train future health professionals.鈥澨�
Supporting future professionals
In addition to serving patients, the clinic will play a vital role in training the next generation of respiratory care professionals, serving as a clinical placement site for H漫画鈥檚 School of Health Science鈥檚 expanded Respiratory Therapy (RT) program.
Students will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of licensed RTs. This model addresses a critical workforce gap in respiratory care and contributes to the retention of skilled health professionals in Nova Scotia.听
Preparing for spirometry testing demonstration.
鈥淭his initiative is about more than just access 鈥� it鈥檚 about building capacity,鈥� said Dr. Sanja Stanojevic, associate professor in Community Health and Epidemiology at H漫画鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine. 鈥淏y embedding students in community-based care, we鈥檙e training future health-care professionals while directly improving patient outcomes. We鈥檙e deeply grateful to GSK for their generous support, which is helping turn this vision into reality.鈥澨�
Addressing provincial challenges
Long wait times for pulmonary testing remain a significant barrier to timely diagnosis and care in Nova Scotia.
听The new community clinic will address this by offering community-based spirometry testing, delivered by respiratory therapists authorized through the INSPIRED program. This innovation will free up hospital-based Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) labs for more complex cases while improving access for patients who do not require full diagnostic assessments.听
Beyond diagnostics, the clinic embraces a holistic, team-based care model that connects patients to essential services, including chronic disease education, lung-cancer screening referrals, and community health programs.听
This proactive approach aligns with Canada鈥檚 evolving models of comprehensive primary care and chronic disease management, emphasizing upstream intervention and integrated care pathways.听
The Nova Scotia Lung Wellness Clinic is more than a clinic 鈥� it鈥檚 a hub for innovation, education, and community health.
鈥淭he Nova Scotia Lung Wellness Clinic is more than a clinic 鈥� it鈥檚 a hub for innovation, education, and community health,鈥� said Catherine Gunn, director the School of Health Sciences in Dal鈥檚 Faculty of Health. 鈥淲orking with our partners, we鈥檙e building a healthier future for Nova Scotians.鈥澨�
GSK Canada鈥檚 Venkatesh says the clinic promises to serve as an example for other communities.
鈥淕SK鈥檚 support for this initiative underscores our commitment to respiratory health and improving access to care,鈥� said Venkatesh. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to see this clinic not only enhance patient outcomes but also serve as a replicable model for other communities across Canada. By working collaboratively and focusing on early intervention, we can transform respiratory care and help more people breathe easier.鈥澨�