South Shore Health Welcoming New Family Doctor

A new family doctor is coming to Bridgewater. South Shore Health says Dr. Sheila Dwyer will start a new practice and will begin taking patients as early as next week. Dr. Dwyer graduated from Dalhousie University's Medical program in 2011 and completed her family medicine residency training in June 2013. She's expected to take 150 new patients when she begins taking phone calls September 18. South Shore Health expects the new doctor will accept a minimum of 1,000 patients over time. Dr. Dwyer will join the team in the new Bridgewater and Area Family Health Centre when it opens later this fall. People who do not currently have a Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner or who are travelling outside the District for care are eligible. People who wish to be considered as a patient are asked to call 527-4814 beginning at 6:30 pm September 18. People should have your MSI number, date-of-birth, and a valid current telephone number when you call. Callers may only register immediate family members from the same household. After the first 150 patients are accepted, the telephone line will close. After these patients are processed and seen by the doctor for an initial intake appointment, the phone line will re-open and additional patients will be accepted. South Shore Health says accepting only 150 patients at a time will avoid the creation of a large list of patients that takes many months to process, and hopefully reduce the frustration of patients waiting for an appointment.