Premier Tim Houston is laying all the cards on the table to try and boost an overwhelmed health care system.
He brought top decision makers, regulators and unions together for a summit in Halifax to look at ways to speed up plans and pilot projects already underway.
“The events over the last week or so have put in a new sense of urgency,” explained Houston.
He was pointing to the deaths of two women (Allison Holthoff and Charlene Snow) who died after long waits in the ER to see a doctor.
The premier told reporters on Tuesday evening he felt it was important to get all stakeholders in the same room and is “open to anything” when it comes to making improvements in the system.
”I believe the best way to move things forward quickly is by getting everyone in the same room.” – Premier Tim Houston
The summit was held as public concern grows over a lack of doctors, nurses and access to care in Nova Scotia.
Meantime, the province is taking action to make improvements to emergency departments.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson and President and CEO of Nova Scotia Health Karen Oldfield will announce new plans to improve care in emergency departments on Wednesday morning.
It comes during a time of public outrage over gaps in the system and as new data reveals severe staffing shortages in hospitals across the province.
The announcement will be in Halifax at 9:45 a.m. and we’ll have details on the new measures as soon as they come out.
