Health Council To Respond to Concerns
The Provincial Health Council is currently reviewing health issues and making recommendations to the provincial government.
The council, consisting of a 12-member group of volunteers from across Nova Scotia, an executive director and one support staff, was mandated by Premier John Hamm to listen and respond to concerns Nova Scotians have about the health care system.
The council is a vehicle for the public to take their concerns to the provincial government. It will also guide and monitor government decision making in health-related issues and will promote the province's health goals to ensure the well-being of Nova Scotians. On Nov. 3, Premier Hamm, Minister of Health Jamie Muir and Barbara Hart, chairperson of the Provincial Health Council, reaffirmed those goals.
In March of 1999, the council submitted a report to government through the minister of health expressing its concerns about mental health services for children and adolescents. The council recommended that a mechanism be developed to combine current children and adolescent mental health services into one organization under provincial leadership.
The council also recommended that government review the document "A New Step Forward, Improving Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Nova Scotia," which was developed in September of 1998.
In August, the Provincial Health Council recommended the government not accept a proposal by Emergency Health Services to develop a 24-hour on-line health call centre.
The council is now working on issues, including patients' bills of rights, mental health, communications, core services and standards of care delivery.
"The council has spent the past months since its start up learning about the current health system. Now, it is time to listen and respond to Nova Scotians," said Ms. Hart. "We look forward to hearing the good and not so good so we can advise government appropriately."
The council's core services committee will meet with representatives from various stakeholders across the province on Nov. 25 and 26 to review health services. From January to March, committee members will hold meetings throughout the province to hear the public's views about what health services should be offered.
The Provincial Health Council welcomes everyone to visit its web site at www.healthcouncil.ns.ca . The council can also be reached at 902-424-1639 or toll-free at 1-800-854-0815.