Nova Scotia

Sydney walk-in clinic gets temporary reprieve from closure

Dr. Reggie Sebastian says after the possible closure of a Sydney walk-in clinic hit the news, the landlord assured him the service would remain, for now. But Sebastian says a long-term solution is still in the works.

Dr. Reggie Sebastian says the landlord has assured him the clinic can continue, for now

Dr. Reggie Sebastian says the walk-in clinic on Kings Road in Sydney, N.S., will remain open, for now, thanks to a reprieve from the landlord. (Matthew Moore/CBC)

The main medical walk-in clinic in Sydney, N.S., will remain open, for now.

Last week, the lead doctor at the former Sydney Family Practice centre on Kings Road said the clinic might close at the end of the month without some financial help.

Dr. Reggie Sebastian now says the news bought the clinic a temporary reprieve.

"As soon as the story broke out, the landlord called us and told us we can continue on that clinic until we find a permanent solution," Sebastian said.

Six doctors shared the overhead costs of running the clinic, but during the pandemic, three left.

Sebastian said the remaining doctors could not generate enough income to cover the staff, supplies and rent.

'We need to find a permanent solution,' says doctor

The doctor said he could not offer any details on how the rent issue will be solved, but welcomed the news.

"We do feel relieved, but we need to find a permanent solution," Sebastian said. "Until then, this is a temporary measure right now."

The owner of the building, Dr. Mohsen Yavari, did not return a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia's health authority said in an email that it is continuing to work with the clinic's doctors and the landlord on a long-term solution.

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Tom Ayers

Reporter/Editor

Tom Ayers has been a reporter and editor for 38 years. He has spent the last 20 covering Cape Breton and Nova Scotia stories. You can reach him at [email protected].