Statement from Nova Scotia Health regarding cardiac surgery workplace assessment

Nova Scotia Health thanks Dr. Kitts and Ms. Noonan for their independent and in-depth workplace assessment.

At Nova Scotia Health, we have a responsibility to provide our patients with the best care possible. We also have a responsibility to ensure that all health care professionals can learn and work in a safe and respectful environment.

While the report notes that improvement is already happening within Cardiac Surgery Program, we recognize that there is much more do. There is no place for intimidation, harassment, or bullying at Nova Scotia Health.

We are taking immediate action to address issues that are currently impacting patient care and workplace culture.

We are accepting all of the recommendations in the report including:

• Immediately beginning the process of appointing a new Division Head for Cardiac Surgery,
• Introducing a revised Code of Conduct that provides greater clarity around expected behaviours and;
• Reviewing the Respectful Workplace Policy and the processes for addressing complaints and violations. 

Dr. Christy Bussey, Central Zone Medical Executive Director, and Eileen MacGibbon, Central Zone Vice President of Operations, will be accountable for the implementation of changes related to workplace culture and communication. They will provide a report on progress by the end of September 2023.

At Nova Scotia Health, we will work urgently to follow the recommendations from this report to see through that Nova Scotia is place where patients can receive high-quality care and health care workers want to come to work, learn and stay.