In response to the COVID-19 pandemic NSH has put restrictions in place at all of our facilities. Although restrictions have been easing over time, they are subject to change in response to the current threat level to our patients, staff and visitors.
You can find the latest information on what to expect for COVID-19 restrictions at NSH facilities here.
What to bring
When preparing for your appointment there are important items that you must bring with you. These include:
- Provincial health card - If your health card is about to or has already expired and you have not received a new one in the mail, call 1-800-563-8880.
- Any private health care insurance information - (Blue Cross, Maritime Medical, etc.)
- Medication - A complete list of your medications, including any vitamins and supplements you take.
- A list of any known allergies and sensitivities
You may also wish to bring paper and a pen to write down important information or any questions you have for your doctor.
While we try to stay on schedule, there is often a wait. You may wish to bring a book or something else to make the wait more enjoyable.
Please note: We are not responsible for any lost or missing items.
Registration process
Your appointment notice will show where you should register. Please arrive early to make sure you have time to register.
Online check-in to pre-register for appointments is available at select facilities. Patients have the option to register online from a personal device up to 30 minutes prior to their appointment.
Pre-register here
Giving consent
Patients who need certain types of procedures will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure. Please read this form carefully. Ask your health care provider if you feel you do not fully understand the procedure or associated risks.
You will also be asked to sign a consent form before release of any specific information related to your condition or your image (photo or video) for legal, promotional, or educational purposes.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
You are an important member of your health care team. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a patient or client at Nova Scotia Health. Your rights explain how you should expect to be treated as a patient or client.
Your responsibilities explain how you can be a more active member of your health care team and help us provide you with the best and safest care possible.
We encourage you and your caregivers to talk openly about your health care. If you have any questions or want to talk more about your rights and responsibilities, please talk with a member of your health care team or the Patient Relations team. They can help you with any concerns about your health care experience.
Quality care
Rights:
- You have the right to receive the best and safest health care possible.
- You have the right to the most comfort we can provide.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for being an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team.
Dignity and respect
Rights:
- You have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.
- You have the right to receive care in a safe, respectful environment.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for treating all staff, volunteers, and other patients with dignity, respect, and consideration.
- You are responsible for speaking and acting respectfully toward all staff, volunteers, and other patients.
Information about your health care
Rights:
- You have the right to ask questions and to receive information, in terms you understand, about your health care.
- You have the right to know the names, positions, titles, and professional relationships of everyone on your health care team.
- You have the right to be consulted, to share what you think and notice about your health care experience, and to express your concerns.
- You have the right to review or receive copies of your health record, except in limited circumstances. For more information, please contact Access to Personal Health Information at Privacy@nshealth.ca. Fees may apply.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for giving your caregivers clear and accurate information about your health.
- You or your family/support person are responsible to tell us as soon as possible if there is a change in your condition.
- You are responsible for asking questions until you feel you have all the information you need to make informed health care decisions.
Your health care
Rights:
- You have the right to know and understand the risks and benefits of any medicine, treatment, or decision about your health care.
- You have the right to decline any medicine or treatment, except in limited circumstances.
- You have the right to decline to take part in a research study, if such an opportunity is offered to you. Your decision will not affect the quality of care you receive.
- You have the right to be involved in planning for your discharge from hospital.
- You have the right to leave the hospital against the advice of your doctor, except in limited circumstances.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for following the treatment plan as agreed to with your doctor or health care team.
- You are responsible for telling your doctor or health care team about any changes in your health.
- You are responsible for keeping or cancelling appointments.
Privacy
Rights:
- You have the right to have your health information kept confidential (private).
- For your ongoing care, your health information is shared among the health care team. With your consent, information can also be shared with others.
- You have the right to as much privacy as we can provide.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others, including patients, families, visitors, and staff.
If you have questions or concerns about privacy and confidentiality at Nova Scotia Health, please email: Privacy@nshealth.ca
Uninsured services
Rights:
- You have the right to an explanation and list of any fee for service not covered by a provincial or private health care plan.
Responsibilities:
- You are responsible for knowing what your private health care plan covers, if a service is not covered by Nova Scotia’s provincial health plan. You can find more information here.
- You are responsible for promptly paying any fees for services you receive.
More information
- We will do our best to provide you with the accommodations you have requested. However, private and semi-private rooms are not always available.
- We make every effort to make sure our patients are placed in same-gender rooms. However, there are times when the number of hospital admissions requires that we place patients in available beds. This may mean that you are placed in a room with persons who are not the same gender as you. If you have a concern about this during your admission, please talk to the unit charge nurse.
