February 2025

Improving Access to Healthcare 

Recruiting Starts for Nova Scotia's First Internal Travel Nurse Program

Registered nurses can now apply to participate in the province’s first internal travel nurse program.

The pilot program will create a Nova Scotia Health travel nurse team to be deployed to emergency departments.

The new program will hire 20 to 30 full-time registered nurses and offer internal and external candidates an opportunity to grow their skills and experience, travel and work in different areas.

Expected to launch by the end of March, it is a joint effort of the Province, Nova Scotia Health and the Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions.

Legislative Changes to Create Administrative Efficiency, Modernize Healthcare System

The Province is repealing two acts and amending two more to remove outdated and redundant functions that are, or will be, part of other pieces of legislation.

The acts to be repealed include the Anatomy Act and the Emergency Department Accountability Act. The Health Services and Insurance Act and the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act will be amended.

Repealing the Anatomy Act and amending the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act will modernize the Province’s approach to the donation of bodies for medical education. The first Anatomy Act was developed in the late 1800s based on historical concerns about the illegal procurement of cadavers for medical training.

An amendment to the Health Services Insurance Act will clarify that healthcare professionals can bill private insurers and federal government programs, and allow them to bill more than the provincial tariff rate where permitted. Patients cannot be billed for an insured service.

Advances in public reporting of healthcare data will see the Emergency Department Accountability Act be repealed. The act requires the Minister of Health and Wellness to submit annually, a report on the status of emergency departments, based on the previous year, including closure hours and wait times.

Continuing Care Nurses Training to Prescribe Medications

A new pilot program is helping seniors in long-term care facilities and at home get access to more care faster, with nurses trained to prescribe medication for common ailments.

Thirteen registered nurses working in continuing care completed Dalhousie University’s certificate in registered nurse prescribing program in December. A second group of continuing care nurses started in early January, and a third will start in the fall.

The Province is covering the full cost of tuition for nurses working in continuing care to complete the training through the pilot.

Graduates from the program can prescribe medications for common health conditions and ailments such as urinary tract infections, nausea and dermatitis. They can also renew prescriptions. They work closely with either a nurse practitioner or physician for support when needed and are certified by the Nova Scotia College of Nursing.

Privately Provided Services for Mental Health

Nova Scotians with mood and anxiety disorders will have more access to mental healthcare at no cost in the coming months.

The government is building the province’s first mental health and addictions publicly funded insured services program. The first phase will boost access to non-urgent mental healthcare by publicly funding private-sector professionals.

The Province has issued a request for proposals to secure a billing administrator for the program. The next step will be identifying the professionals – which will include master’s level social workers, master’s and PhD psychologists, and registered counselling therapists – to provide non-urgent mental healthcare for eligible Nova Scotians experiencing mood and anxiety disorders.

The Province is making an initial $10-million investment in the new program, which aims to be ready this spring. Nova Scotians who call the provincial intake line will be assessed and could be eligible to be covered for mental health support.

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Local Healthcare Access Points 

Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic + 

The Pharmacist Plus Clinics are another way we're improving access to healthcare for all Nova Scotians.

The Truro Lawton's Pharmacist Plus Clinic is a walk-in clinic that has a nurse practitioner and pharmacists working as a team to provide a variety of health care services, from primary care to chronic disease prevention and management.

Services include:

• Diagnosing and treating routine and more immediate health concerns

• Prescribing medications and prescriptions renewals

• Medication management or modifications

• Chronic disease management

• Health screening and preventative care

• Ordering and interpreting tests

• Vaccinations and injections

• Making referrals to specialists and other health care providers

		Lawton’s Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic + 316 Willow Street, Suite 20 902-896-0987
Monday	9:00 am	5:00 pm
Tuesday	12:00 pm	8:00 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am	5:00 pm
Thursday	12:00 pm	8:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am	5:00 pm

Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic 

Pharmacist-led clinics provide an extended suite of pharmacy primary care services at no charge to people with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.

These services include assessment and prescribing for:

• Strep Throat

• Pink Eye

• UTIs

• Chronic Disease Management (Diabetes, Asthma, COPD)

• Prescription renewals for all medications and more

• Publicly funded vaccines for adults and children are also available at these clinics as well as medical injections.

		The Medicine Shoppe Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic 1B-664 Prince Street 902-814-2679
Monday	9:00 am	5:30 pm
Tuesday	9:00 am	5:30 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am	5:30 pm
Thursday	9:00 am	5:30 pm
Friday	9:00 am	5:30 pm
Saturday	9:00 am	1:00 pm
Sunday	9:00 am	1:00 pm

VirtualCareNS

Did you know that Nova Scotians with a primary care provider get two free visits through VirtualCareNS per year? And that those without a primary care provider have unlimited access to virtual care?

To learn more about VirtualCareNS and to register today, visit: www.virtualcarens.ca 

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February in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River

Truro Gaelic Language Class

On February 1, I had the opportunity to visit and participate in a 'Speak Gaelic' class in Truro at the Colchester East Hants Public Library.

 A special thank you to the participants and instructors for the warm welcome!

Sa mhadainn bha cothrom agam tadhal agus pàirt a ghabhail ann an clas ‘Speak Gaelic’ ann an Truro. Taing shònraichte dha na com-pàirtichean & an luchd-teagaisg airson an fhàilte chridheil.

A New Fan for the Truro Junior A Bearcats 

On February 2, I was honoured and excited to be asked to help celebrate Kylo Rankin’s 1st Truro Junior A Bearcats hockey game at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. Go Cats Go!

Fraser's Pastry Shop Turns 30

A big congratulations to local business owner Liane Whalen and the team at Fraser's Pastry Shop at 809 Prince Street in Truro on their 30 year milestone on February 3. 

Fraser's is a beloved local staple in our community and I sincerely thank Liane and the team for their consistent hard work - and for the sweet treats! 

Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture Visit 

It was great to meet with Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Dean Dr. Heather Bruce to listen to innovative ways of learning and experiences for students on the campus in Bible Hill.

Their teaching and research in the important areas of food and agriculture and how it is changing and developing from climate change to new technologies. It is important the province has been and will continue to have the opportunity to partner on this level of work happening right here in our community.

2025 Nova Scotia Special Olympics

On February 8, my colleague Kings West MLA Chris Palmer and I travelled to Greenwood to welcome all the amazing athletes, coaches and volunteers from across our province participating in the 2025 Nova Scotia Special Olympics Provincial Winter Games!

Big congratulations to Colchester's own Dwayne and his coach Cathy for winning the gold medal in figure skating!

First Session of the 65th General Assembly of the Nova Scotia Legislature 

On February 14, our government tabled the speech from the throne outlining our ambitious plan to turn Nova Scotia into a generational economic success story.

Together, we will make it happen for Nova Scotians. You can read the full speech here.

Canada Cup Slopestyle at Ski Wentworth

I had an amazing Sunday morning on February 19, attending the Canada Cup Slopestyle competitions at Ski Wentworth.

Over 80 participants from across Canada, including 11 Nova Scotians, were involved over the course of 4 days. Congratulations to all the participants, coaches, volunteers and organizers that made the event a success! First place in the female division was Harper Runnalls from Nova Scotia, 2nd place to Marley Eisner, Nova Scotia and Zoe Henderson, British Columbia.

Photo credit to Thor Durning and Jen Polson.

Coldest Night of the Year

February 22 saw an amazing turnout for The Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in support of the Truro Housing Outreach Society.

A special thank you to all of the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, walkers and teams! 

Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River PC Association 2025 AGM

On February 24, a great evening was had at the Truro Fire Hall as members and guests of the Truro-Bible Hill- Millbrook- Salmon River PC association joined together for our Annual Association AGM.

I was pleased to have our Premier, Hon. Tim Houston in attendance as our guest speaker to provide his remarks and vision for our province. Thank you Premier Houston for making time to visit and share your message with us. Thank you and shout out to our executive members and volunteers for your continued dedication and work behind the scenes to help those in our constituency.

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As always, I remain deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be your MLA. 

I'd like to remind subscribers to check out http://www.daveritcey.ca to keep up with what's happening across the province and within Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River. 

Sincerely,  

Hon. Dave Ritcey

MLA Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River