ELMSDALE: Residents concerns about the blood collection lab at the Lloyd E. Matheson Centre remaining open while the COVID19 testing centre was also held in the same unit were heard loud and clear by the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA).
Among the concerns were several voiced on the East Hants Facebook page stating people were fearful of the testing centre being directly in the blood collection lab at the Matheson Centre.
The bulk of the worry centered around some of the more vulnerable people may be sitting waiting their turn to get their blood taken, alongside those there for COVID19 testing.
“Due to public concern regarding potential exposure to COVID-19 at a newly-established temporary assessment site in the Lloyd E. Matheson Centre, NSHA is closing the blood collection clinic at that site, effective Wednesday, April 8, until further notice,” spokeswoman Carla Adams said in an email to The Laker News.
There were also questions on if NSHA would have been better using a mobile testing unit or the as-yet opened East Hants Aquatic Centre or an empty school parking lot for the testing centre.
“Temporary assessment centres may be created in areas where there is a higher need for testing, as identified by our surveillance data and in consultation with Public Health,” said Adams.
She indicated why the blood collection lab was picked for the testing centre.
“NSHA also happens to lease space in the Lloyd E. Matheson Centre,” she said.
Adams said that residents needing blood collection services, they’re to go to the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro (for an appointment call 902-893-5554, ext. 49999) or go to the Cobequid Health Center in Lower Sackville (for an appointment call 902-473-2074 or 1-833-942-2298).
Their hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. It is closed on weekends and holidays.
