Jesse Kancir, Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone, said as of the end of July, the Public Health immunization team had provided 265 vaccines through their summer catch-up clinics. The clinics are targeting students who missed their grade 7 immunizations and are open to others who may also need to catch up on missed vaccines. Vaccines provided in childhood and through school-based immunization programs are free, including to students who are on catch-up schedules.

When Susie Hardy began her career in healthcare, she didn’t realize how quality and patient safety would set the trajectory for her current role as Perioperative (Surgical) Services Quality Improvement Leader for the Eastern Zone (Antigonish, Cape Breton and Guysborough areas).

“I started my career in medical device reprocessing (MDR) expecting it to be a manual labour job but quickly realized that it was very much about patient safety and required complex knowledge about microbiology and infection control.”

After finishing the last surgery late, an operating nurse shares unwanted news with another surgery patient.

“I am really sorry to tell you that we won’t be able to complete your surgery today.”

The patient is visibly and understandably upset. She hasn’t eaten all day, took time off work, arranged childcare and even had her sister fly in to help her recover.

Nova Scotia Health’s response to a flood yesterday at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital continues.

Facilities Management & Support, Environmental Services and Infection Prevention & Control continue to assess the situation. Updates as of this afternoon include;

Third floor:

“It was our dream – we’ve been thinking of this for six years,” said Suhil Abu-Zaid, medical laboratory technologist, of the official opening of the Muslim prayer space at the VG site of the QEII on August 16. Abu-Zaid co-led the efforts with Azza Mohamed, director and site lead for the VG, to create the space, with help from Nova Scotia Health’s Quality Improvement Collaborative team (Taylor Nicholson, Lindsey LeFort, Lisa Cicchelli and Daraspreet Singh).  

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, a pipe burst on the third floor of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, resulting in a flood.

Facilities Management & Support (FMS) continues to assess the situation, however at this time, impacted areas include:

• some physician offices, one operating room, a prenatal clinic and staff training/education space (third floo
• some administrative offices (second floor)
• elevators 5, 6, 9 & 10.

Due to the damage, these areas will be closed for repair. 

Most Nova Scotians have had the experience of waiting in an emergency department for care, either as a patient or a loved one. Given that patients are presenting with urgent or life-threatening conditions, the wait can be stressful, and can affect health outcomes. In Nova Scotia, the Emergency Access Improvement Initiative aims to enhance emergency care for both patients and healthcare staff. These initiatives ensure that all Nova Scotians receive timely urgent care when needed.

As part of Nova Scotia Health's efforts to improve access to healthcare access, the Sydney River Health Centre will open in early 2025 and provide a range of services under one roof, delivering tailored care by the right healthcare provider, at the right time.

Understanding the most pressing healthcare needs of the community is a vital part of shaping how the centre will be set up. As a result, Nova Scotia Health wants to hear directly from local residents.

Who can participate?

For Bonnie Doyle, a career in physiotherapy is more than just a job—it’s a calling. It’s about helping people heal, regain their strength, and return to the activities they love. “I loved the idea of helping people heal from their injuries so they could get back to doing the things they love to do!” says Doyle, who has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years.

HALIFAX, N.S. – A Nova Scotia Health-led research study is partnering with four pharmacies in HRM to provide sexually transmitted infection testing for those not showing symptoms.

Modeled after other studies, Swab-Rx aims to find out how people feel about getting self tests and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea from a pharmacist.