The Nova Scotia Department of Health, the district health authorities and the IWK have a shared mission to work together to empower individuals, families, partners, and communities to promote, improve and maintain the health of Nova Scotians through a proactive and sustainable health care system.
The Department of Health sets strategic direction for the health system through:
- Direction and support of health transformation initiatives
- Funding to district health authorities and provincial programs, including ground and air ambulance programs
- Development and support of provincial programs and initiatives
- Administration of continuing care services, the Senior’s Pharmacare Program and the Family Pharmacare Program
- Policy, legislation and standards
Nova Scotia's health services are delivered by nine district health authorities and the IWK. These health authorities deliver health care services to residents and are responsible for all hospitals, community health services, mental health services and public health programs in their districts.
Nova Scotia Launches Website For Hip and Knee Replacement Patients
Patients waiting for hip and knee replacements in Nova Scotia now have access to a reliable source of information to help them prepare for surgery.
The "My Surgery" website, available at http://mysurgery.nshealth.ca, shows people what to do and what to expect from the time their family physician refers them to an orthopaedic surgeon to the recovery and rehabilitation period after surgery.
In some cases, making significant lifestyle changes such as eating better, getting proper nutrition, or exercising more, can help make a big difference in the quality of life for the patient before the surgery.
The other benefit to making such lifestyle changes is that it helps with rehabilitation after surgery. A healthier patient is more likely to heal faster, begin exercising sooner and put less strain on other joints.
The website, funded by Health Canada, was created in consultation with health-care professionals offering orthopaedic services in Nova Scotia.
Featured Story
Women are getting more comfortable and more efficient treatment for gynecological cancer in a new brachytherapy suite at Nova Scotia Cancer Centre in Halifax.
The suite was made possible through a private donation and a partnership between the Department of Health, QEII Foundation and Capital Health.
"This suite helps us provide better health care for Nova Scotian families while also living within our means," said Health Minister Maureen MacDonald, who toured the facility July 22. "This will free up operating room time and reduce the number of patients that need to be admitted to hospital so it will indirectly reduce the wait times of other patients."
Dean and Evelyn Salsman donated $1 million to the QEII Foundation to establish the brachytherapy suite and the Department of Health provided just under $1 million. It is the first dedicated brachytherapy suite in Canada that combines the services and equipment necessary for a patient to be treated in one room. Before, a patient would need to go through three areas, including the operating room for general anesthetic, to receive treatment.
News Releases
- Province Approves Funding to Reduce Wait Times, Improve Cancer Care
- Cancer patients in Nova Scotia are one step closer to better care and shorter wait times with a $7.9-million investment for equipment and construction at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre. - 2010/08/31 - 12:49
- La Province célèbre l'anniversaire du service Info-Santé 811
- Que ce soit pour une toux ou des piqûres d'insectes, plus de 100 000 Néo-Écossais ont obtenu les conseils d'infirmières autorisées par téléphone et par Internet au cours de la première année du service Info-Santé 811. - 2010/08/04 - 09:46
- Province Marks HealthLink 811 Anniversary
- From coughs to insect stings, more than 100,000 Nova Scotians got advice over the phone and on the Internet from registered nurses during the first year of HealthLink 811. - 2010/08/04 - 09:44
- Replacement Nursing Home Officially Opens in Baddeck
- Seniors will be able to stay in their community longer with the official opening of Alderwood in Baddeck today, July 23, the first of 13 facilities being built in Nova Scotia to replace existing nursing homes. - 2010/07/23 - 10:11
- Minister Tours Brachytherapy Suite at Nova Scotia
- Women are getting more comfortable and more efficient treatment for gynecological cancer in a new brachytherapy suite at Nova Scotia Cancer Centre in Halifax. - 2010/07/22 - 15:46
