District Health Authority Chair Appointed for DHA #4

HEALTH -District Health Authority Chair Appointed for DHA #4

The chair of the new district health authority for Colchester County and East Hants Municipality was recently appointed. This announcement allows the health authority to push forward in setting the new direction for heath care.

Garry Pye becomes the chair of District Health Authority #4 joining the 11 members that were announced Sept. 26.

Mr. Pye is past chair of the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation and a board member of the General Motors Dealer Training Advisory Board. He also has a Masters in Business Administration from Saint Mary's University and is a local business leader.

The district health authority for Colchester County and East Hants is smaller than the former Northern Regional Health Board, allowing for more focused management on community needs. Communities are already seeing a greater voice in decisions, with two-thirds of the authority members nominated by community health boards. The authority is required to work with community boards to develop community health plans.

This new direction 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.

"We're very pleased that Mr. Pye has accepted the nomination," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "We look forward to working with him to develop a health-care system that will adequately meet the needs of the community both today and for years to come."

The health authority chair will help in selecting the chief executive officers, a process already well under way.

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