September 2024

Improving Access to Healthcare

Province Advances Digital Healthcare Transformation with Google Cloud

It will soon be easier for Nova Scotians to search for health information and faster for healthcare professionals to find important health information about their patient.

On September 4, he Province announced that Nova Scotia Health has entered into a new partnership with Google Cloud to implement three digital solutions that will harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the patient and clinician experience.

Nova Scotia Health’s teams will work with experts from Google Cloud Consulting and product teams to integrate three AI-driven healthcare solutions by the fall of 2025. These include:

• providing Nova Scotians advanced search capabilities using natural language across health system resources, such as the YourHealthNS app and Nova Scotia Health websites; it will give people faster, easier access to healthcare information, resources and services

• allowing healthcare professionals to use a natural-language search to locate relevant information in a patient’s health record; it will improve efficiency by reducing time spent searching through patient records and quickly provide clinicians with the information they need to help inform decision-making and ultimately improve patient outcomes

• supporting radiologists with their review of chest X-rays by providing preliminary imaging findings, which will improve efficiency.

  
  

The partnership also includes in-person and on-demand training for healthcare professionals through Google Cloud Learning Services.

This partnership furthers Nova Scotia Health’s commitment to ensure personal health information and data is protected at all costs. Google Cloud's approach to data governance and privacy policies are designed for its customers to retain control over their data.

Province Introduces Acts to Support Regulated Health Professionals

Legislation introduced this month will help ensure consistency in the oversight of regulated health professions in Nova Scotia.

It establishes the new Nova Scotia Dental Association Act and Nova Scotia Optometrist Association Act so these organizations can continue to function legally and represent their members following implementation of the Regulated Health Professions Act, introduced during the fall 2023 House of Assembly session.

The Regulated Health Professions Act will eventually replace 21 acts related to self-regulated healthcare professionals, including the Dental Act and Optometry Act.

It received royal assent on November 9, 2023.

Contract with Healthcare Workers Ratified

The Council of Health Care Unions ratified a two-year agreement with Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health on September 12.

The bargaining unit has 9,100 healthcare workers in more than 180 job classifications, including physiotherapists, lab staff, psychologists, continuing care assistants, social workers and pharmacists.

The contract includes:

• economic increases of 3 per cent on November 1, 2023, and 2 per cent on November 1, 2024

• paramedic hourly wages at NSH will be aligned with paramedics employed by Emergency Health Services

• a special adjustment of 2.5 per cent to all classifications except paramedics and continuing care assistants (they received targeted increases before or during this agreement)

• two additional steps added to pay scales valued at 2.5 per cent on October 31, 2024, and 2.5 per cent on October 31, 2025, to support retention and recruitment.

• two targeted wage adjustments of up to 2.5 per cent wage adjustments on November 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, in an effort to move certain classifications up to but not surpassing the leading wage rate in Atlantic Canada, which will support retention and recruitment

• increases to shift and weekend premiums to support evening and weekend access to care

• streamlined recruitment language to bring qualified employees into the organization faster.

The contract runs from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2025.

More Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics to Open

More Nova Scotians will soon have access to a community pharmacy primary care clinic closer to home.

Fourteen new pharmacies will join the pilot program this fall. In addition, the six Lawtons Pharmacy Walk-in Clinic+ sites have transitioned to the Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic program, uniting both models under one project umbrella.

The first community pharmacy primary care clinics launched in February 2023. Since then they have provided more than 190,000 services to Nova Scotians.

Pharmacists in these clinics provide a full scope of practice, including treating minor ailments and providing medication management for chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They can also diagnose and treat strep throat and provide additional publicly funded vaccines, among other services.

A complete list of services and locations that are booking appointments is available at https://pans.ns.ca/cppcc. New locations will be added as they open.

Province Celebrates Medic Monday

The province’s nearly 1,300 paramedics were celebrated September 23, on Medic Monday.

To support the lifesaving work of paramedics, in the past 12 months, the Province has:

• provided free tuition to paramedics who agree to work in Nova Scotia for at least four years following graduation

• supported efforts to streamline the licensing process, making it easier for internationally trained paramedics to work in Nova Scotia, faster

• negotiated new agreements with higher pay for paramedics

• opened a new Emergency Health Services regional station in Antigonish County

• strengthened health and safety practices, including revised end-of-shift procedures to reduce overtime and fatigue for ground ambulance staff

• added 13 clinical transport operators to manage patient transfers, allowing paramedics to focus on emergency calls

• introduced a new emergency medical responder (EMR) role to help lessen workload; the first class graduated in June and another in August, resulting in 23 EMRs now working across the province.

  
  

Since January, 65 paramedics have joined the ranks with many more in training.

These efforts advance Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare, by investing in recruitment, retention, education and training opportunities to ensure Nova Scotians’ healthcare needs are met.

Province to Build Three New Dialysis Units

More Nova Scotians will receive dialysis treatment closer to home with three new dialysis units coming to the communities of Springhill, Shelburne and Evanston, Richmond County.

The units will be built using a construction method called Design for Manufacture and Assembly. It is a design-intensive approach, which allows facilities to be constructed off-site and assembled on-site, reducing delays and unforeseen costs often associated with traditional construction methods.

The new six-station dialysis units will be located at All Saints Springhill Hospital, Roseway Hospital in Shelburne and Strait Richmond Hospital in Evanston.

Construction will begin after a vendor is selected and detailed design is complete.

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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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Grants & Funding Opportunities

Senior's Care Grant

The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services like lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, transportation, small home repairs and phone service, healthcare services like physiotherapy and mental health support and home heating.

Grants are $750 for each household and applications are open until 31 March 2025. 

Apply here: See if you qualify for the grant - Senior Care Grant- Government of Nova Scotia 

Heating Assistance Rebate Program 

The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-and modest-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating.

Rebates are $600 for each household and applications are open until 31 March 2025. 

Apply here: HARP Application UI (novascotia.ca) 

Property Tax Rebate for Seniors

Property Tax Rebate for Seniors helps low-income seniors with the cost of municipal residential property taxes.

Rebates are 50% of what you paid on last year’s property taxes, up to a maximum of $800. Applications are open until 31 December 2024. 

Apply here: Apply for a property tax rebate: Property Tax Rebate for Seniors - Government of Nova Scotia 

Grant Finder Tool

Use this service to find grants and funding programs offered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage that you may be eligible to apply for.

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage helps businesses and communities grow by providing program and event funding for arts, culture and heritage, sport and recreation, cultural identity and languages, and tourism.

Grants and funding programs are available for:

• businesses

• individuals

• non-profit groups (like charities, community groups and social enterprises)

  
  

Access the Provincial Grant Finder here: Find grants offered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage - Government of Nova Scotia 

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September in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River

Nova Scotia Native Women's Association Resiliency Centre

On September 9, I was honored to attend the grand opening of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Resiliency Centre in Millbrook and to welcome Brian Wong, Minister of L'Nu Affairs to the constituency. 

The Nova Scotia Native Women's Resiliency Centre will be a place to provide Indigenous women-led, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services and support that infuse traditional healing, medicines and teaching.

Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame Induction 

On September 14, I had the pleasure to attend and listen to some of the province’s talented musicians/artists at the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Congratulations to Cecil MacDougall, Clayton Lewis, Bob MacDonald and John Kendall Snyder on your induction to the Hall of Fame.

Battle of Britain Day

On September 15th, 1940, the Luftwaffe launched a major assault over Britain, suffering heavy losses. Brave soldiers from across the Commonwealth fought for freedom and liberty in this decisive battle, now known as ‘Battle of Britain Day.’

Their sacrifice remains a vital part of our history and the freedoms we enjoy today. 

 Remembering Sackville Downs

On September 15, the Truro Raceway hosted the Remembering Sackville Downs event, which honored Sackville's Harness Racing venue that operated from 1955 - 1986.

My colleague, the Honorable Steve Craig, MLA Sackville-Cobequid, and I attended the celebrations and presented the organizing committee with a certificate of appreciation.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the celebration.

50th Provincial Volunteer Awards

Nova Scotians who generously give their time to their communities were honoured on September 18, at the 50th Provincial Volunteer Awards ceremony, which - for the first time - took place in the Town of Truro at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre!

2024 Local Awards Recipients were:

• Nevin Jackson - Town of Truro

• Andrea MacEachern - Municipality of Colchester

• Friends of the Garden- Village of Bible Hill

• Shannon MacPhee- Town of Stewiacke

  
  

Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. This year’s celebration not only reflects on the past achievements but also inspires future generations to uphold the spirit of volunteerism. 

Their immense contributions are what make our province vibrant and resilient. Today, we celebrate not just the individual achievements of our honorees but also the collective spirit of giving that defines us as Nova Scotians.

Congratulations to all award recipients!

Apex Invitational Golf Tournament Association Honored at the Nova Scotia Legislature 

I was honoured to welcome and recognize the Apex Invitational Golf Association Tournament committee in the Nova Scotia Legislature on September 17 by reading a member statement for their work over the years including their most recent celebration - the 50th Anniversary event this past summer.

Seek Wilderness Accommodations Grand Opening Weekend 

It was great to catch up with Miriah Kearney, Owner/ Operator of Seek Wildernes Accommodations in Truro during their Grand Opening Event Weekend!

To learn more about Seek, please click the link: https://www.stayatseek.com

Congratulations Mariah and the folks at Seek on your Grand Opening!

Community Pancake Breakfast

It was great to join Dr. Stephen Ellis, MP Cumberland-Colchester and his colleague John Barlow, MP Foothills at their Nova Scotia Stampede Free Community Pancake Breakfast, which served over 150 people at the Hub Shopping Centre in Truro. 

A sincere thanks to The Hub Shopping Centre, High-Tide Home Hardware, Atlantic Superstore, McDonald's, and all of the volunteers who helped make this event a success.  

Door Knocking

Speaking directly with residents on their doorsteps about the issues that matter most is one of my favorite aspects of being your MLA. I strongly believe that continual door knocking is key to staying connected with our community, ensuring voices are heard and concerns are addressed. Let's keep these conversations going! 

Special thank you to Lachlan for the Cougar Card!

Inaugural Nova Scotia Stampede 

The Inaugural Nova Scotia Stampede was absolutely incredible!

From the first ever sanctioned professional rodeo in Nova Scotia to the all-Canadian music line up, talented vendors, delicious food trucks and more! Thank you to the event organizers, volunteers and the community for making this event unforgettable. 

The energy and enthusiasm truly brought this event to life!

Stay tuned for more to come because Nova Scotia, this may have been your first rodeo, but it certainly won’t be your last!

I also had a great time being involved in the 1st Nova Scotia Stampede Cup as a Coach.

It was a blast and so fantastic to have the opportunity to catch up some former players like Truro’s David Brine, Ben Higgins and James Sheppard. Ran into a hot goalie, the team came up short in 5-3 loss to Chris Nilan and Chief Bob Gloade’s team!

Photo credits to Steve Currie of Currie CineMedia - thanks for these great shots, Steve!

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies were held in Millbrook on September 30th, which included a community walk and the unveiling of the Nora Bernard Community Centre in her honour.

On September 30, we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, acknowledging the painful legacy of residential schools. We remember the children who never made it home and the lasting impact on their families and communities, and we honour the survivors.

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As always, I remain deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be your MLA. If you know of anyone who would like to receive future editions of this newsletter, please contact Jill at the constituency office at 897-0884 or mlaritcey@bellaliant.com. 

Plus, don't forget to check out http://www.daveritcey.ca for updates, resources, and more!

Sincerely, 

MLA Dave Ritcey

Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River