When Lois MacEachern’s doctor quit their practice, she was put on a registry, waiting with more than 2,000 residents of the South Shore area.

            She began using Maple, a virtual health care service.

            But the senior quickly became frustrated with the program.

            She called asking to see a doctor so she could get blood work done.

            Maple scheduled her to visit three different medical staff in one day.

            MacEachern still does not know why.

            “It was just flip in, flip out,” she said.

            The Rice Point resident has now been without a doctor for two years and wants access to one in her region again.

            Fortunately, a clinic expansion in Crapaud, P.E.I. could provide exactly what MacEachern is looking for.

            Lisa Gallant is overseeing the expansion of the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre.

            Gallant owns the building, which includes the clinic and pharmacy next door, where she also works as a pharmacist. 

            Planning began in the fall of 2023, after the manager of primary care for her area approached her about it.

            She said the centre needed additional space after bringing in more staff.

            “Over time, (it) got more and more crowded.”

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            Construction began earlier this fall and is expected to be completed in April 2025.

            It will add room for another doctor, as well as two offices for additional staff such as a diabetes educator, a social worker and physiotherapist to use.

            Gallant said the expansion reinforces the centre’s objective as a medical hub for South Shore residents.

            “The idea is…they can receive all kinds of different primary care at that same location through collaboration.”

            Gallant is waiting for government funding.

            In the meantime, she has been financing the expansion herself.

            “I feel confident that Health P.E.I. will come on board and live up to (its) commitments.”

            The South Shore covers communities as far west as Kinkora and as far east as Rocky Point.

            Gallant saw many people fall through the cracks of the healthcare system after Crapaud’s doctor left their practice in 2017.

            Since then, the community has rebounded, having recruited a new doctor and two nurse practitioners at the centre.

            The pharmacist said she is happy with the positive changes and is excited to add more soon.

            “I’m just so thankful that we’re in this position today.”

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            MacEachern, 79, is one South Shore resident who is also glad to see the clinic expansion take place.

            She went to Crapaud’s clinic to see about getting a primary physician but was turned down.

            She believes it was due to the large number of people waiting to be registered.

            “I went up there one day, and I didn’t get any satisfaction.”

            MacEachern, who is diabetic, has to get blood work done every three months to monitor her kidneys.

            She has also suffered from cancer, a brain aneurysm and lost most of her vision in one eye.

            “Some of us should be (placed) on a higher priority with a doctor,” she said.

            With more staff and services on the way for Crapaud, MacEachern hopes she will be able to have her medical needs fulfilled closer to home.

            She said she would like to have the same setup she used to have with her former doctor and avoid relying on Maple.

            “It’d be a good idea, because you’re not running all over the place. You get your blood work, the doctor sees it, the whole nine yards.”

            Gallant has the same goal in mind for people like MacEachern.

            Blood collection services at Crapaud’s clinic are currently only available to patients registered there.

            She eventually wants the service available to those outside of the clinic.

            “Right now, there’s no space for that to happen, so we’ll see what the future brings.”

            Gallant feels the South Shore will have everything it needs to fulfill the primary health care needs of its citizens once the expansion is complete.

            She hopes everyone waiting for a doctor in the region will come off the registry and belong to the clinic and looks forward to providing them the care they need.

            “They will have the gold standard of health care,” she said.

Expansion of the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre in Crapaud, P.E.I. began in the fall of 2024. The new facility includes space for an additional doctor and other services and is expected to be completed in April 2025. Blaine Auld photo.