District Health Authority Members, Chair Appointed for Annapolis and Kings Counties

HEALTH--District Health Authority Members, Chair Appointed for Annapolis and Kings Counties

The chair and members of the new district health authority for Annapolis and Kings 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 Western 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 and 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.

David Logie, previous board member for the Western Kings Regional Health Board and Soldier's Memorial Hospital with broad management experience and involvement with health care system, is the district health authority chair for Annapolis and Kings counties. The chair is joined by 11 members: Barbara Kaiser, founder and director of several day care centres in Quebec; Doug MacDonald, president and CEO of a family business and director of the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation; Preston Ilsley, volunteer firefighter and former chair of the Western Kings Community Health Board; Steve Hemenway, a lieutenant colonel and involved in many community organizations; James Mosher, directly involved in planning and development of health care in Annapolis and Western Kings counties and a volunteer with Soldier's Memorial Hospital Foundation; Steven Menzies, crew chief, paramedic level II in Berwick and a current member of the West Kings Community Health Board; Jane Farquharson, current director and co-principal investigator with Heart Health N.S.; Beth Stewart, registered nurse and Annapolis Community Health Board member; Jack Phinney, dairy producer and community volunteer; Ralph Phinney, business administrator in municipal and provincial governments and community volunteer; David Hovell, business administrator and vice-president of the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation.

Acting Health Minister Peter Christie said that 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," said Mr. Christie.

The health authority chairs will now help in selecting the chief executive officers, a process already under way. Orientation sessions for all members are scheduled for October.

The Health Authorities Act, passed in the spring of 2000, sets out the legislative framework for the new health care direction.