March 14, 2025
When 41.1% of the population lives in rural areas, there are no shortage of challenges to providing adequate health care to the abundant communities that span Canada's most rural province. Facing these issues, Nova Scotia has been a testing ground for innovating new approaches to healthcare delivery. At the forefront of innovation is North Cumberland Health Care Centre (NCHCC), which brings together healthcare services that were previously split between two buildings. Designed to support seamless staff movement and efficient delivery of care, the new Centre is redefining rural healthcare, creating an adaptable and welcoming environment for patients and providers alike.
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTHCARE IN NOVA SCOTIA
Statistics Canada reported that in 2021, almost 2.5 million Canadians had unmet healthcare needs, with rates particularly high in the Atlantic provinces. Rural areas struggle with a lack of primary care providers for non-acute healthcare needs. When there is nowhere else to go, patients have no choice but to seek care in hospital emergency departments, leading to overcrowding and thus dreaded wait times. Notably, 24% of emergency department visits in rural areas are for conditions that could be managed by primary care providers, compared to 11% of visits in urban areas. The disparity underscores the need for a new approach to healthcare in rural regions to alleviate unnecessary traffic in emergency departments.
Not only must rural patients expect the aforementioned overcrowding and lack of family physicians, but can be further hindered by the distance to care facilities. A study published by BMJ Journals stated that the longest travel time became evident in Canada during a paediatric trauma patient study, where the travel time was one hour by car to the nearest place of care. This distance can lead to delays in treatment, increased stress for patients and families, and poorer health outcomes.
Facilities such as North Cumberland Health Care Centre (NCHCC) are specifically designed to address the healthcare needs of rural areas by offering a broad spectrum of healthcare services, therefore reducing the burden of travel on patients and their families, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and managing care more efficiently. This not only improves the overall provincial healthcare system but ensures that smaller communities, such as Pugwash, are not overlooked in the delivery of essential healthcare services.
A NEW APPROACH TO RURAL HEALTHCARE
Previously, healthcare services in Pugwash were divided between separate buildings, requiring patients and healthcare professionals to navigate multiple locations for care. Now, through a shared reception area, doctor and nurse practitioner offices are directly connected to care services, including the Collaborative Emergency Centre (CEC), x-ray, rehabilitation, primary care, laboratory services, and inpatient care beds for short stays, observation, and palliative care.
“When everything is under one roof, we increase access to equipment, space, and resources. This requires less coordination and planning for procedures, which helps us deliver care more efficiently,” said Irene Chevarie, Health Services Manager at Primary Health Care Cumberland Network.
ARCHITECTURE THAT ADAPTS TO ITS ENVIRONMENT
The architectural design of North Cumberland Health Care Centre plays a pivotal role in supporting rural healthcare. The facility’s layout emphasizes integration and efficiency, enabling doctors and healthcare workers to fluidly shift between primary care, emergency services, and diagnostic work. Dual registration areas ensure clear separation between hospital services and primary care, while optimized sightlines and workflow efficiency allow staff to monitor patients effectively and respond promptly to their needs.
This success has created a stable work environment, attracting skilled professionals to the area due to higher satisfaction rates and lower stress levels. The facility’s design addresses the staffing challenges unique to rural communities. Traditional private practices often struggled to balance family practice with emergency care. Facilities such as North Cumberland’s that use an integrated approach to care have improved staffing stability, with 98% of providers reporting high satisfaction in delivering care and 82% agreeing that access to daytime services is as good or better than before.
A FACILITY DESIGNED FOR HEALING
North Cumberland Health Care Centre’s architectural features go beyond functionality to prioritize patient comfort and well-being. The centre includes private rooms, scenic views of the harbour, outdoor healing gardens, and a collection of local scenery murals from community members. These elements create a calming and restorative environment for patients, families, and staff, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The facility’s low-profile design maximizes natural light and integrates harmoniously with its surroundings, showcasing sustainable and patient-centered design principles.
Mark Archibald, Project Architect, emphasized, “North Cumberland Healthcare Centre’s design reflects our commitment to patient-centered care, focusing on creating a peaceful and functional space for both staff and patients.”
A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE OF RURAL HEALTHCARE
North Cumberland Healthcare Centre demonstrates that rural healthcare can be innovative, efficient, and comprehensive. By merging modern healthcare planning and design with a community-focused approach , the Centre sets a new standard for rural healthcare facilities. The Centre enhances the quality of life for rural residents and redefines the healthcare landscape in Nova Scotia, proving that innovation and community-focused design can create lasting, meaningful change.