BEECH HILL – The health of our feet is often taken for granted, but it is always front and centre for Christopher Smith.
The Antigonish County resident, who has diabetes – which means a heightened risk of amputation due to wounds – has been a frequent visitor to the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital ambulatory foot care clinic; its services are a key component of maintaining his health.
Smith – and others who use the service – recently received a letter from Nova Scotia Health (NSH) indicating that the clinic would no longer provide appointments after Sept. 1.
“It is very serious,” he told The Journal in a phone interview, noting he had his final appointment there only a few days earlier.
Now, Smith is searching for a new foot care provider. The correspondence from NSH provided a list of five private options.
“It is hard for someone on a fixed income,” he said of the cost per visit for the suggested providers, which ranges from $50 to $80. His stops at the St. Martha’s clinic were free, covered by MSI.
Noting that the NSH letter touched on the economics of the move, Smith wondered how much money would be saved by mothballing a small office – one he compared in size to a janitor’s closet – with only one employee. He argued that having people unable to access the St. Martha’s service will place an increased financial strain on the health-care system as conditions end up becoming worse because of a lack of attention, noting the potential for an increase in complications, including amputations, due to insufficient foot care.
He also pointed out the loss of the direct connection between the St. Martha’s clinic and the patient’s family doctor, when it comes to the progress with someone’s condition.
Smith has spoken twice by phone with NSH representatives about the situation. He has also been busy – through social media and other avenues – getting the word out about the pending closure. His campaign also includes a call to his District 10 councillor, Sterling Garvie, who shared Smith’s concerns and those of other residents he heard from during a Municipality of the County of Antigonish meeting last month.
At that time, council decided to write letters of concern to provincial officials, including Nova Scotia Health and Wellness Minister and Antigonish MLA Michelle Thompson. Council also decided to seek support from its colleagues with the Strait Area Chiefs, Mayors, Wardens and CAOs in helping advocate for the foot care clinic, considering it is a service offered at a regional hospital, and encouraged them to express their concerns.
Brendan Elliott, NSH senior adviser, public affairs, content and media relations, confirmed in an email exchange that “routine foot care services will no longer be provided through the ambulatory foot care clinic …” as of Sept. 1. He added, “This decision reflects the need to create more capacity in the ambulatory care clinic for specialty services, ensuring patients have access to the right care at the right time.”
Elliott explained that ambulatory care services “offers a variety of specialty services like plastics, ophthalmology, infusion clinics and general surgery. Given the higher demand and higher needs of these services, we determined that foot care, as a routine service, would be better met in the community.”
With the “change in service,” Elliott estimated that approximately 200 community members who receive routine hands-on foot care at St. Martha’s annually – such as nail clippings, callous care and general foot assessments – will be affected.
“Patients requiring routine foot care needs can access care through community-based foot care providers. It is important to note that fees and services of community providers are not managed by Nova Scotia Health,” he said. “Community-based care for routine foot care is aligned and consistent with how the service is delivered in other communities across Eastern Zone and in other Nova Scotia Health zones.”
When asked whether he is optimistic that, with increasing public outcry and pressure, the province could have a change of heart, Smith said there is “always hope.”
Of the upcoming closure, he added, “All in all – it is a big mistake.”
