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(902) 532-2324

Welcome to Annapolis Collaborative Practice

xray-machine The Annapolis Collaborative Practice (ACP) provides quality health care to a common group of patients within the Annapolis County. Our spacious and newly renovated office is located inside the Annapolis Community Health Centre (ACHC) which offers the following services:

• Laboratory services

• Diagnostic imaging (x-ray)

• Cardiac investigation services, including ECG, holter and event monitoring.

• Inpatient beds, plus Palliative Care beds

• Rehabilitation services, including Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

• A Diabetes Centre, with a full-time Dietitian and part-time Diabetes Nurse Educator.

• Specialist Traveling Clinics in gynecology, urology, and internal medicine.

• Mental Health Services, with regular visits by a psychiatrist and psychologist.

• Public Health Nurse, whose office shares our waiting room.

• Continuing Care office (home care and assessments for long-term care placement).

Inter-professional rounds within ACHC take place every morning where the health care team can gather and discuss patient care needs in order to provide a comprehensive patient centred model of care.

Forms and Letters

If you have a form or letter that needs to be completed by one of our clinicians it may not be completed during your office appointment (with the exception of Driver's Medicals). We strive to get them done in a timely fashion and the office will contact you when the document is completed. Upon direction from you we can mail or fax the document directly to the associated company on your behalf. In addition, there may be a charge associated with the completion of the document. There are posters in the office with a guide to these costs. If you have any questions about this, the office staff can provide you with more information.

Chart Transfer

Your medical information is highly confidential. If you wish to have information released to another physician or company, ACP must have a Medical Release Authorization form signed by you. We can provide that form if requested. We require a minimum of two weeks notice to prepare your chart for transfer. As MSI does not fund this service, there is a fee of $30 per patient plus additional costs (subject to change).

Medications

The duration of a prescription will depend on the condition being treated. Acute infections may require treatment for 3 to 14 days while long-term health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, may require indefinite treatment. Long term prescriptions are usually written for several months with refills.

Medication Renewals

The Annapolis Collaborative Practice requires all patients to make an appointment for a medication review and treatment renewal.

We ask that you please contact the office to obtain an appointment to renew your prescription(s) at least four weeks prior to running out of medication to allow time for the pharmacy to process your request. Please allow extra time if you might need blood work before your prescription can be renewed.

Requests for a narcotic or duplicate prescription will need to be booked by the patient in advance with their usual prescriber, whereas appointments to renew other prescriptions can be with the most conveniently available clinician within our practice.

Narcotic Prescriptions

Prescription refills for narcotic medications require an appointment with your doctor. Call at least four weeks prior to running out of your medication for an appointment.

Special Authorization Forms

If you receive information from your insurance company or the pharmacy requiring prior authorization for coverage of your medication, the following occurs:

• The pharmacy contacts ACP for authorization.

• ACP responds to your insurance company with the required information.

• Your insurance company approves or denies the request. The decision is not made by the clinicians at ACP.

• The pharmacy will notify you when your insurance company has responded to the request.

This process can take as long as a month due to the volume of prior authorization requests and the time it takes for your insurance company to respond. You do have the option of purchasing your medication without prior authorization. However, it is an out-of-pocket expense.

collaboration The Annapolis Collaborative Practice consists of a group of physicians, nurse practitioner, and family practice nurse who work together to provide care to a common group of patients based on trust, respect, and an understanding of each others' skills and knowledge base. The main focus is to provide quality comprehensive patient care to meet the individual needs of our patients.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide medical services of an excellent quality to all members of the family with empathy and respect for each person's dignity. We strive to foster health, and to promote disease prevention among the culturally diverse families we serve.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide accessible primary health care to individuals of all ages. We care for both acute and long term health conditions, and we stress prevention to keep you healthy and active.

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

An electronic medical record is a computerized medical record used in ACP to store complete and up to date health information for each of our patients.

What is a Nurse Practitioner and what can he or she do?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with advanced education. They have the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat your illnesses and health concerns. They can order tests such as x-rays, scans, and ultrasounds; interpret laboratory and other test results; as well as prescribe most medications. They educate people, families and communities to live healthier lives.

What is a Family Practice Nurse?

A Family Practice Nurse (FPN) is a registered nurse who works in collaboration with the clinicians in our office focusing on health promotion, illness and injury prevention, treatment and monitoring of commonly encountered health problems and injuries and chronic disease management. These services are provided using a holistic, family-centered care approach.

Teaching Environment

The Annapolis Collaborative Practice (ACP) is a teaching environment that supports medical students, family medicine residents, nurse practitioner students, and students from Medical Office Assistant programs. As a result, you may encounter students during your visit to the practice. Their experiences here assist them in their training and keeps us up to date so that we can provide you with the best medical and nursing care you deserve.

How to book an appointment

Contact our office in person or by phone at (902) 532-2324 to book an appointment. When making an appointment, please give us the reason or reasons for your visit so we can schedule the appropriate amount of time for you. Since some medical evaluations take more time than others, this will help us to serve you better. A routine appointment lasts 15 minutes. If you have not informed us during your initial phone call of all the issues you wish to discuss, we may have to ask you to return for an additional visit.

How long does it take to get an appointment?

This varies with each clinician. If you are looking for a routine appointment with your family doctor please allow four to eight weeks. The Annapolis Collaborative Practice also offers same day appointments to attend to patients with more urgent medical needs.

What if my doctor or nurse practitioner is not available when I want an appointment?

If you have an Emergency please dial 911. If you have an urgent medical problem that cannot wait please proceed to the nearest Emergency Department.
Otherwise you can be booked with the first available clinician within the practice.
If you are looking for health advice you can dial 811 (711 for hearing impaired) and speak to a registered nurse at any time.

Cancelling appointments

We appreciate at least twenty four hours notice if you have to cancel your appointment. There is a high demand for appointments within our practice and by courteously giving us advanced notice that you have to cancel we can offer the appointment slot to another patient in need.

Well-Woman Clinics

The Annapolis Collaborative Practice offers Well-Woman Clinics that are open to the public. These clinics are for Pap tests only and are run by female physicians and nurses. The clinics are offered monthly. Please contact our office to book an appointment.

Same Day Appointments

The Annapolis Collaborative Practice offers same day appointments to attend to patients with more urgent medical needs. A Duty Clinician (physician or nurse practitioner) is assigned each day to ensure appointments are available. Please contact our office to book an appointment.

Flu Vaccine

The Annapolis Collaborative Practice is offering the Flu vaccine this fall; after Thanksgiving, to the general public. Please contact our office at (902) 532-2324 to book an appointment for your flu shot. Please remember to bring your NS Health Card with you to the appointment and to advise the receptionist upon registering if you are pregnant.