Minister Announces Transfer of Health Board Governance

The province has transferred the governance of Nova Scotia's regional health boards to the Department of Health, Health Minister Jamie Muir said today.

"Effective immediately, governance of the four regional health boards is being transferred to the Department of Health," said Mr. Muir. "I want to thank the many volunteers who have served on the regional health boards for their time and effort over the past several years. I hope that many of them will continue to offer their advice and support."

Employees will continue to be employed by their respective boards. The boards' administrative, support and professional employees will remain in place.

Governance of the four non-designated organizations, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, IWK Grace, Cape Breton Healthcare Complex and the Nova Scotia Hospital, are not affected by today's announcement.

Today's announcement is the first step in the transition to a health care system that is more responsive to the community. The government made the commitment to eliminate the current regional health board structure in its election platform and again in the Speech From the Throne.

Mr. Muir said that the transfer of governance from the regional health boards to the Department of Health is necessary to ensure consistency in all four regions during the transition process. It will also provide stability, ensure minimal disruption to staff and ensure continuity of health care delivery.

The minister of health also reiterated his government's commitment to legislate greater responsibilities for community health boards.

"The community health boards will help to assess local needs, develop plans for their district health authorities and identify ways to improve the overall health of the community," said the health minister. "To ensure that community health boards can influence decision making, they will be given representation on the new district boards. Local representation and control will help ensure that the health care system is more accountable to both government and health care consumers alike."

Later this month, the deputy minister of health, Dr. Nuala Kenny, and senior departmental staff will meet with officials from the regional health boards to explain the transition process and establish a timetable for the creation of the new district health authorities.