Protecting Our Health Care Workers
Our health system is under considerable pressure and accessing care can be stressful. Long waits at emergency departments or primary care clinics often result in frustration and unfortunately, some patients become irritable, confrontational and in some cases abusive. Now more than ever, health care workers face difficult working conditions, including violence and threats of violence in the workplace.
It makes a huge difference when a patient or family remains calm and considerate when they visit a health care setting. Staff and physicians are doing their best. Your kindness can go a long way toward making the experience manageable. Patience and understanding also supports recruitment and retention of our valuable team members – something we all want to see more of in Nova Scotia.
On December 17, 2021, Bill C-3 was amended to better protect health care workers and those accessing health care services. The new intimidation offence will address circumstances where a health care worker, or person seeking care, is subject to any intimidating conduct.
Partnering in Community
A new Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) program is underway in Sheet Harbour.
The thirty-two week, “work and learn” program is a partnership between the Province of Nova Scotia, the Musquodoboit Valley Home for Special Care (Braeside) in Middle Musquodoboit, Harbourview Lodge in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia Community College, LEA Place Women's Resource Centre and the Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Community Health Board.
Fourteen students began the in-class component of the program in early June and will begin working at local long-term care facilities in the coming months as part of their course requirements.
By holding the program locally, the partners are hoping to increase the number of qualified staff available to work in long-term care and home care in the region, reduce staff shortages and provide local employment.
Our People
Amy Donnelly is the Health Services Manager at Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital and Harbourview Lodge Continuing Care Centre. Amy has nearly 20 years’ experience with Nova Scotia Health’s Tissue Donation Program. During her career she has travelled around the Maritimes to surgically procure donated tissue or teach staff about the important the donor referral process. Amy was director of the Eye Bank from 2016 until 2021 before taking the Health Services Manager role in Sheet Harbour.
Emergency Services
Nova Scotia Health provides anticipated monthly schedules for emergency services at both Musquodoboit Valley Memorial and Eastern Shore Memorial Hospitals. www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures
[Your Health, Your Community is a contributed column from Nova Scotia Health. If you have comments or questions, we want to hear from you at [email protected].]
