The Nova Scotia Health Authority is investing $400,000 per year to improve primary health care in Cape Breton.

The money will allow a local clinic the ability to serve an additional one-thousand patients.

The team includes three family doctors, with the hopes of recruiting two more.

The new clinic will be set-up adjacent to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in the Health Park and will be fully operational this fall.

The announcement comes two days before a planned rally that is related to doctor shortages in Cape Breton.

“We want to add to this conversation and be part of this solution,” says N.S. Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan. “This is a start today, a collaborative center here for Sydney, a key element. There’s a lot more to do Sunday, and I’m looking forward to that conversation. We want to hear from doctors, I’ve been hearing from them consistently.”

New patients will be added to the practice over the next twelve months on a first-medical priority basis.

Sunday’s rally is planned by the Opposition PC’s at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion.