District Health Authority Appointments for Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond Counties
HEALTH -- District Health Authority Appointments for Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond Counties
Members and chairs of the new district health authority for Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond counties were appointed today. These individuals can now push forward in setting the new direction for health care committed by government.
The district health authority is smaller than the former Eastern Regional Health Board, allowing for more focused management on community needs. Communities already are seeing a greater voice in decisions, with two-thirds of the authority members nominated by community health boards. The authorities are also required to work with local health boards in developing community health plans.
This new direction also requires stronger links among all levels of health care -- from prevention to treatment to continuing care. This means people will get the right care, in the right place, at a sustainable cost for taxpayers. As well, more accountability will be in place for health outcomes and results.
Colleen Cameron, chair of RK MacDonald Nursing Home and former member of the steering committee that set up the Antigonish Town and County Community Health Board is the district health authority chair for Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond counties.
The chair will be joined by 11 members: Robert Anderson, retired judge; Kevin Beaton, engineer with extensive experience working on boards; Donald Dunbar, retired Royal Band manager and served as treasurer of St. Mary's Memorial Hospital; Robert Humphrey, clinical therapist for addiction services; Wendy Panagopoulos, program administration officer with addiction services and member of the Guysborough County Community Health Board; William MacNeil, retired superintendent from Antigonish Town and County School and has served and councillor; Sharon MacInnis, Community Health Board member and has served her community as a volunteer for 25 years; Magdalen Lowe, RN, semi-retired operating room nurse at St. Martha's Regional Hospital and community volunteer; Wayne Boudreau, owner/operator of printing and office supply company and part time bus drive for Strait Regional School Board as well as a community volunteer; Ann Gottschall, RN and quality/risk coordinator at St. Martha's Regional Hospital; Patricia Bates, current vice-chair of the Guysborough County Home Support Agency Society and member of Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Acting Health Minister Peter Christie said that both the chair and health authority members have diverse backgrounds, experience and talents.
"They have one thing in common - their interest and commitment in improving health care in their communities. We look forward to working with them in developing a health care system that not only does a better job of meeting Nova Scotians' needs today - but is there to meet the needs of our children and grandchildren."
The health authority chairs will help in selecting the chief executive officers - a process already under way. Orientation sessions for all members are scheduled in October.
The Health Authorities Act, passed in spring 2000, sets out the legislative framework for the new health care direction.