Temporary Service Changes During Health Information System Launch

Nova Scotia Health is preparing for the launch of its new health information system, a major step forward in improving how care teams access and manage patient information.

This new system will bring patient health information together in one place, giving healthcare teams real-time access to the information they need to support care.

As part of the planned transition period to support a safe and effective go-live, some temporary service adjustments are required. This phased approach allows for anticipated slowdowns as physicians and staff adjust to new workflows, followed by a scheduled recovery period.

During this time, the emergency department at Cobequid Community Health Centre will close early at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9.

Some services will operate on reduced hours. Specimen drop-off will be available at Cobequid Community Health Centre and Dartmouth General Hospital on Friday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As Nova Scotia transitions to a new provincial health information system, some data is being reviewed and validated. During this time, certain measures, including the Emergency Department Wait Times tool, may be delayed, updated, or temporarily unavailable.

We also expect that registration and appointment processes across some sites may take longer than usual during the transition.

This new system will not change how patients, clients, or families prepare for appointments. Patients arriving for some clinics may have an identification band placed on their arm by a staff member. These bands hold essential information and may be scanned by your care team. They can be removed after your appointment.

In addition, appointment reminder calls (including routine automated reminders) will be temporarily paused. Patients with upcoming appointments are encouraged to make note of their scheduled times and, where possible, confirm details through the YourHealthNS app if they are registered and have notifications enabled. To download the app, please visit https://www.yourhealthns.ca/.

Patients and visitors may also notice people wearing purple vests in care areas. These team members are there to support staff and physicians as they adapt to the new system and workflows.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we implement this important system improvement.