ER’s, Mandates And Mental Health Hot Healthcare Topics In Yarmouth

A chance for people in Yarmouth to speak out about healthcare in Nova Scotia.

Dozens had a question-and-answer session with health leaders yesterday, including Minister Michelle Thompson.

A woman detailed how she lost her son to mental health, and how support is lacking in rural areas.

“We need mental health in our community, and we need peer-support in any way possible. If we had that addressed, we’d have less drug addictions, because that is part of it too,” the woman told the panel.

Deputy Health Minister Jeannine Lagasse responded, saying universal mental-health care is a group effort, and they are doing a number of pilot projects on the issue, including peer-support groups.

A local youth-support worker also brought forward a story of a 17-year old that was refused help because they didn’t have a permanent residence.

She says the youth is now living on the street of Halifax, and more needs to be done for in-patient services for homeless youth.

Thompson responded, saying it’s on their radar and working across government for wraparound support for homeless youth.

She says there is a ton more work to do, but they have had some early success.

Another question surrounded mental health support for healthcare workers to help reduce burn-out and stress leave.

Thompson says there are very stressful events that happen in ER’s, and it’s important to provide support for those traumas, and the day-to-day grind.

She highlighted programs such as Bring Back the Joy to medicine through Doctors Nova Scotia, and making sure there’s wellness activities and peer-support for all healthcare workers.

Disappointment In ER’s

An audience member detailed her experience in the Yarmouth Regional Hospital ER, citing long wait times and people leaving without being seen.

She asked about provincial funding announced in 2020 for an expansion of the ER.

NS Health staff in the Western Zone were on hand, and said a re-development design is going to the province for approval by April 1st.

They say the needs for the next 10-20 years need to be included in the plan.

A man in the audience asked about better funding efficiencies in long-term care for seniors, with more supports at home.

Thompson said continuing care is close to her heart, and they’ve increased the number of beds across the province.

She says a ‘transition to community’ facility for those in long-term care is being tried in Halifax, and may expand to rural areas.

COVID Mandates Questioned

A lot of talk was also focused on COVID-19 health mandates, especially vaccines.

Nova Scotia is not allowing unvaccinated healthcare workers back to their jobs yet.

A nurse who refused to get vaccinated asked when she would be allowed to return to work.

“How long do you plan on leaving us on unpaid leaving? How long will I continue to suffer? This has been the worst year of my life, I’ve lost everything,” said the nurse.

Another woman in the audience said those who don’t want the vaccine should not be shamed, and asked when the Nova Scotia government would operate on ‘accurate information’ and let the workers come back.

NS Health CEO Karen Oldfield says 128 out of 26-thousand healthcare workers in the province are not vaccinated.

Oldfield says it’s a polarizing issue across the province, but they aren’t re-visiting the decision at this time.

Leaders To Review Sessions

After the session, Thompson said it was important to hear the concerns of the community.

“There were many concerns brought up about emergency rooms and recruitment and retention. We know that recruitment has been tough in the Western Zone. We also wanted to share some of the things we announced in Halifax around waiting rooms and clinicians. We want to work with communities to make sure they have the support they need,” says Thompson.

Oldfield says there’s a lot to take away.

“A lot to absorb and process, and on the way home we will be doing that. There is a divide in the community between vaccinated and non-vaccinated, that is clear. I’m empathetic to those on the outside looking in at this point and time. It’s heartbreaking to hear that. It may not be forever, but right now, this is where we’re at.”

She also highlighted the virtual care that Yarmouth is taking on, and the addition of another air ambulance to Halifax.

Oldfield says they will move forward with the ER, and it goes hand-in-hand with the Premier’s message: ‘go like hell.’

The leaders moved on to Shelburne for a Community Conversation on Healthcare last night.

The full videos of the sessions will soon be available on the provincial government’s website.