News release

Government Committed to Better Health Care, Op-ed

Health and Wellness

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece by Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald.


As Minister of Health and Wellness, I know few things are more important to Nova Scotians than health care.

This is why I am so pleased to share how the Better Care Sooner plan is making a real difference for Nova Scotia families.

Almost two years ago, we put together a genuine plan with that goal in mind.

Government knew that emergency departments were overcrowded. We agreed that patients were waiting too long to receive emergency care and we planned to do something about it.

This plan included a promise to open more hospital beds to admit patients stuck in emergency departments.

I'm pleased to say that we have done just that.

Six months ago, I stood in the QEII Health Sciences Centre and announced government's investment in new beds and a rapid assessment unit. In September, this new unit began receiving patients from across the province coming to Halifax. They are now being diverted from busy emergerncy rooms and gaining faster access to specialist care they need.

On that September day, I was optimistic about the tremendous potential of the new unit. And our promise to help patients.

Capital Health is reporting that nearly 1,200 patients have benefited to date. These are people who have travelled by ambulance from communities as far away as Sydney and Yarmouth. While our highly trained paramedics do their very best to keep patients comfortable, the last thing people need is a long wait after such a long drive.

Our investment in the rapid assessment unit was intended to reduce emergency department bottlenecks and provide Nova Scotians with better access to emergency care, sooner. And this is exactly what is happening.

The additional medicine beds have helped decrease the bed wait time for admitted general medicine patients by more than an hour.

As well, significantly fewer patients are experiencing the frustration, disappointment and delay in care caused by cancelled surgeries. These cancellations have dropped by more than half as a result of the new beds.

One of government's most important commitments is to provide Nova Scotians with better health care. And our Better Care Sooner plan announced in December is based on standards that set and raise the bar on quality care.

This plan delivers government's commitment to keep emergency rooms open and shorten wait times.

I'm pleased with the progress we have made. But believe me, I understand, and government understands, that there is still more work to be done. And we are committed to doing it.