News release

More than 1,000 Nova Scotians Engaged in Community Healthcare Conversations

Health and Wellness

The government has wrapped up one of the largest public healthcare tours in the province’s history.

More than 1,000 Nova Scotians concerned about the future of healthcare in their communities took part in transparent public conversations with Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson, Deputy Minister Jeannine Lagassé and Nova Scotia Health CEO Karen Oldfield.

“Nova Scotians came to these sessions with important concerns and good questions,” said Minister Thompson. “They came with ideas about how to improve education, recruitment and retention, and overall health in our province, and how to offer more primary healthcare. It was clear the people who came to meet with us understand that change is needed, and they are open to doing things differently. I learned a lot, and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to come or send in a question.”

The tour included 20 sessions, covering more than 5,300 kilometres from Yarmouth to Glace Bay, Liverpool to Springhill. It began in October and wrapped up two weeks ago.

Staff working in primary care, public health, continuing care, addictions and mental health and emergency care were also on hand at each community conversation to provide information and speak with participants.

Video recordings of the question-and-answer portion of each session are available at: https://novascotia.ca/community-healthcare-conversations/

The Speak Up For Healthcare Tour in the fall of 2021 included visits with health leaders and providers, and directly informed Action for Health, the government's plan to improve healthcare.

Additional Resources:

Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

Minister Thompson’s mandate letter: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DHW.pdf