News

Hurricane Preparedness

Published: September 13, 2023

Hurricane Preparedness Tools

With hurricane Lee's impact a few days away and still uncertain, please watch local forecasts and listen to weather bulletins and alerts and prepare for any impact that may occur.

Visit the Nova Scotia Hurricane Emergency Updates and Support Website for Hurricane Safety Tips, Emergency Checklist and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness PDFs to better prepare you.

Stay safe!

Back to school & routine starts tomorrow! Please be careful!

Published: September 5, 2023

Back to school & routine starts tomorrow!

A friendly reminder that tomorrow is the first day back for students and the crossing guard. Please be mindful of the Intersection and come to a full stop at the stop signs.

Please allow our crossing guard the time safely needed to ensure everyone is safely crossed and out of the way before proceeding.

Our local RCMP will also be observing this first day back to ensure everyone stays safe.

Seniors Care Grant Opening for Application - Sept 1, 2023

Published: September 1, 2023

Nova Scotia Seniors Care Grant Program - Starts September 1, 2023

Starting Friday, September 1, 2023, seniors can apply to the annual Seniors Care Grant program, which helps with expenses that allow them to stay in their homes longer and improve their quality of life.

The grant has been increased to $750 and now includes home heating as an eligible service. To qualify, Nova Scotians must be 65 years or older by March 31, 2024, live in a home they own or rent, and have an annual household income of $37,500 or less. 

"We heard from many seniors that last year's home heating grant made a big difference," said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. "We know that the cost of home heating can be hard, especially for seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes, so we've increased the grant and included home heating as an eligible expense, allowing seniors more flexibility to use the grant in whichever way best suits their needs." 

The grant helps seniors cover the costs of a range of healthcare and household services, including physiotherapy, medication and grocery delivery, phone services and home repairs. The grant may also be used for home heating costs, such as furnace oil, natural gas and electricity. More information about the grant, including how to apply, who is eligible and eligible services is available:-- at the program website:  Seniors Care Grant.

You can also contact them via email: seniorsgrant@novascotia.ca or by phone (800) 670-4357.

Print applications are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres and MLA offices. 

Another change this year is direct deposit for seniors who are signed up for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency. All other eligible applicants will continue to receive their payment by cheque. 

Seniors who previously opted in to receive the seniors care grant when applying for the property tax rebate for seniors will need to submit a separate application for the grant beginning this year. 

Applications close on March 31, 2024.

Quick Facts:

-- people who received a seniors care grant between December 1, 2021, and May 31, 2023, are eligible to apply for a new grant

-- applicants must keep receipts for work or services provided, live in a home or apartment they own or rent, and have an annual net household income of $37,500 or less --more than 37,000 seniors received a seniors care grant last year

-- the government is investing up to $30.5 million in the seniors care grant this year.

Additional Resources:

Financial assistance and grant programs for homeowners

Action for Health, the government's plant to improve healtcare

Mandate letter of the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care

Be mindful of local flooding

Published: August 30, 2023

Message from Public Works:  Public Works is asking you to be mindful of localized ponding and flooding as a result of the rains from this morning and potentially heavy rains this afternoon.  If you notice excessive ponding or localized flooding, please call Nick Purdy at Public Works (902)397-3002.

$2400 Non-Repayable E-Commerce Microgrant for NS Businesses

Published: August 29, 2023

The federal government’s Canada Digital Adoption Program continues to offer a $2,400 non-repayable microgrant to small businesses all across the country. This $2,400 – the details of which can be found below and at www.digitalmainstreet.ca/atlantic-cdap– gives businesses an opportunity to build their online and e-commerce presence so that they can expand, create jobs, and fulfill their entrepreneurial potential.

Public Works working on McCormick Street Aug 28, 2023

Published: August 28, 2023

Message from Public Works:

The Oxford Public Works Team will be doing some more work on McCormick Street this morning.  Signs will be posted.  Please use caution in the area.  Thank you.

Where to go for Health Care

Published: August 24, 2023

Nova Scotia Health - Where to go for Heatlh Care

If you have an urgent health concern, your first call should be to your primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner). If your provider is not available or you do not have one, there are other services ready to help you. There are also programs to help keep you healthy. The primary care and healthy living services available across the province and services in our area (the Northern Region) are listed in the  folder Where to Go for Health Care Pamphlet.

For further information please visit www.nshealth.ca.  A copy of the Pamphlet in the PDF above is also available in print at the Town of Oxford Office at 105 Lower Main Street., Oxford.

Mobile Primary Care Clinic, August 26, 2023 8:30AM - 3:30PM

Published: August 24, 2023

PUBLIC SERVICE ADVISORY

Mobile primary care clinics in Oxford 

When? Wednesday, August 23, 2023 

Nova Scotia Health’s mobile primary care clinic has the following upcoming clinic date: 

Oxford at 111 Medawell St., Oxford
Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

This is a temporary service to provide an appropriate primary care setting for an increased number of people with mild or moderate health concerns. 

This is a drop-in clinic. You will be asked the reason for your visit to ensure we are able to treat your concern.

If we are able to help you, you will be screened for acute viral respiratory infection and given an approximate appointment time. Have your health card and a list of your medications ready upon arrival. Care will be provided using a team approach, which includes nurse practitioners and family physicians. 

This clinic is not a substitute for your primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner).  

However, there are times when you may not be able to see your primary care provider, or you do not have a primary care provider. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we aim to provide you the best possible care. 

The clinic can only address non-urgent, low-acuity health issues and is not an emergency service. See a list of the types of concerns below if you are not sure where to go. 

Types of concerns that may be addressed at the mobile primary care clinic include: 

• Prescription refills or renewals (except for controlled substances)
• Minor respiratory symptoms
• Sore throat
• Earaches
• Fever
• Headache
• Rashes
• Minor gastrointestinal concerns (vomiting and diarrhea)
• Cough, flu, or cold symptoms
• Urinary tract infections
• Muscle pain 

Lab or diagnostic imaging requisitions will not be part of the mobile service. 

Please note other options for care: 

Do not hesitate to visit an emergency department if you are experiencing an emergency. Anyone with urgent medical needs should call 911.

Nova Scotians who are on the Need a Family Practice Registry may access VirtualCareNS, which provides free, temporary access to primary health care. Visit virtualcarens.ca to register or request a virtual visit. VirtualCareNS is not an emergency service.

For general health advice and information call 811, which is a service offered 24/7 by experienced registered nurses.

The provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line can also be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.

Additional local resources are available at nshealth.ca/wheretogoforhealthcare. We will keep communities updated as future dates and additional community locations are determined or if there are changes to the current schedule. 

Additional information can be found at www.nshealth.ca/mobileprimarycare.