New Parents Can Electronically Register Babies at Hospital

NOTE: A list of hospitals with kiosks follows this release.

NOTE: A social media version of this release is available at http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2013-05-14-Birth-Kiosks/ . Hi-res, downloadable photos and audio clips will be added after the event.

New electronic kiosks in nine Nova Scotia hospitals allow parents to register the birth of their baby and enroll their child in government programs and services.

"We know that filling out paperwork can take a lot of time, the birth registration kiosks make it easier and more convenient," said John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "We are pleased to offer parents this faster, easier option during such an exciting, busy time in their lives."

The nine hospitals with kiosks house 97 per cent of births in the province. Parents of babies not born in the nine hospitals will continue to fill out paper forms.

The kiosks allow parents to access the following government programs and services:

• applying for the baby's Social Insurance Number
• applying for Canada Child Benefits
• activating their baby's Health Card
• registering the birth
• ordering and paying for their baby's birth certificate.

"Parents are indicating to us that the kiosks are very helpful," said Michelle LeDrew, director of the Women's and Newborn Health Program at the IWK Health Centre. "The kiosks are easy to use and the whole process usually takes about 20 minutes. New parents like the convenience of completing birth registration before they even leave the hospital."

Kevin Boudreau, from Upper Tantallon, used the kiosk last month after his wife AnnMarie gave birth to their daughter Olivia.

"The service is very convenient and easy to use," said Mr. Boudreau. "Electronically registering the birth of our daughter and applying for her birth certificate, social insurance number, Canada child benefits and health card in one location not only saves time, it is one less thing my wife and I need to worry about now that we are the busy parents of two children."

The birth registration kiosks are part of the government's efforts to improve services to Nova Scotians. Before the kiosks, parents had to fill out paper forms to register their baby's birth and access services.

The following is a list of hospitals with kiosks:

• IWK Health Centre, Halifax
• Cape Breton Regional Hospital (Sydney Site)
• Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville
• Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro
• St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish
• Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth
• Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow
• South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater
• Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst