THE BEDFORD BASIN REPORT

Dear Constituents,

I hope this finds you well. I think we’re all reeling a bit from seeing the wildfires so close to our community – many of us have family, friends, and colleagues who have been displaced by the Tantallon/Hammonds Plains wildfires and the fires in the Shelburne area too. Many of them will not have a home to return to.

Many of the local Fire Departments and Volunteer Fire Departments in Metro (including Bedford and CAD Bedford) have responded to the fires, and I know everyone is grateful for the long shifts and difficult work they have performed. Hearing Halifax Deputy Fire Chief David Meldrum talk about the tough job they have been doing – making the difficult choice to determine which buildings have a chance to survive and then battling to save them — reminded me of what a tough job our firefighters have to do above and beyond the act of battling fires. I’m also grateful for the assistance of other provinces, like Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, that have stepped in to help in the fire response.

So many people have stepped up and leaned in during the past few days – people who have taken others into their homes, businesses and organizations that have taken in pets and larger animals, organized food and clothing, the organizations like the Red Cross that we count on to help us in times of distress. I want to thank everyone for their support of their neighbours and others. Many people want to volunteer and donate items, and there will be opportunities to do those very things in the coming days. This week has been eye-opening for us all, and the response has been awe-inspiring.

In the meantime, if you know of anyone who has been displaced, they can register on the Red Cross website. People can also donate to the recovery effort there too.

Because this situation is so fluid, it’s important we keep in touch. You can get the latest on the fire situation, local school updates, and other useful information further in this issue of my eNewsletter.

I know a lot of residents have had to make some tough decisions about what to take with them when evacuating. You might wish to think about what you’d take in the unlikely event you must evacuate suddenly. It’s important to discuss with your family what you would do and where you would meet up if you were separated and could not use your cell phones, for example.

We don’t know what this coming week will bring. Rain is not forecast for a few days, and temperatures are slated to rise this week. Our Councillor, Tim Outhit is providing updates from the city when they are released; I will share those and any information that comes from the province as well on Facebook and Instagram.

There will be time to ask questions about what happened in the days ahead. Right now, we need to focus on ensuring that people and animals are safe, as many buildings protected as possible, and our emergency personnel supported. Our family, friends, and neighbours are going to need our care in the difficult days ahead as they come to grips with the loss of their homes.

Sincerely, 



Kelly Regan, MLA for Bedford Basin

 

New Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic

I was pleased to cut the ribbon at our newest Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic earlier this month. Pharmacist / Manager Fady Faltas and his team at Lawtons Mill Cove are now able to see patients for a variety of concerns, including many medication renewals, contraception, strep throat, chronic disease care, uncomplicated bladder infections, and much more.

This is especially important because as of May 1st, more than 19,129 residents of the Bedford/Sackville cluster do not have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. (You can find that information here but be prepared to toggle through many screens to find it. It’s difficult to find on purpose; the numbers are not good.) This is an increase of more than 400 percent from May 2021. (See the May 2021 numbers here.)

There are a variety of reasons why people are on the Need a Family Practice waitlist, but the majority of people are on the list because their family practitioners have closed their practice, retired, or are about to retire. Simply put, over 55 percent of people are on the list because their doctor is leaving or has left. And an article from the Halifax Chronicle Herald makes it clear that a decision by this provincial government to end a physician benefit to locate in HRM is a major reason why the list has skyrocketed.

Having pharmacists able to work to their expanded scope of practice will help Bedfordites get access to the health care they need, and I’m really grateful to Lawtons and Fady for stepping up.

The Lawtons Mill Cove Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursdays from noon until 5 p.m. If you have any questions about what services are offered, you can contact the clinic at 902-835-6135.

Our constituency is also served by the Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic, which opened up earlier this year at the Guardian Pharmacy at the corner of Southgate and Larry Uteck. You can book your appointments for the Guardian here.

Emergency resources and links

  • Temporary shelter for pets. Read more...
  • Recent emergency alerts and air quality info. Read more...
  • Information on state of emergency, evacuation, and comfort centres. Read more...
  • Assemble an emergency kit and grab and go bag. Read more...
  • For children and youth experiencing distress, Kids Help Phone can be reached 24/7 1-800-668-6868 or text the word CONNECT to 686868.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Community Spotlight

Bedford Lawn Bowls Club

The Bedford Lawn Bowls Club recently held an open house so people could check out the friendly environment and try a game.

The club is now open for the season and always welcomes new players. You can find more information on their website, including an application form and information about the rules of the game.

What's on in Bedford Basin?

🎪 Join the Chickenburger for the annual Fun Fair in support of the IWK Foundation. Read more...

🛍️ Support local vendors at the market happening in conjunction with Bedford Days celebrations. Read more...

🚶‍♀️ Register for the Brain Tumor Walk happening at Dewolf Park on June 17th. Read more...