A mentorship program aimed at getting more young Black people employed in the provincial government is entering its second year this summer. The Black Youth Development Mentorship Program (BYDMP) gives students in grades 11 and 12 full-time summer employment within various departments of the provincial government. Each student is paired with a mentor of African […]
Community health centres need stable funding, a seat at the table, advocates tell public accounts committee
Community-based health organizations helping keep Nova Scotians out of emergency departments need stable provincial funding and a seat at the table, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts heard Wednesday. “Of course, money is always at the root of it. But what we really want to convey is that we are partners in the fight against […]
Advocates say gender-affirming health care access crisis in Nova Scotia worsening as barriers increase
Only provider of gender-affirming surgery no longer offering services, two key specialists no longer taking referrals.
Nova Scotia may have the highest proportion of trans and gender diverse individuals in Canada, but advocates say those who need to access gender-affirming health care are facing increased barriers and lives are at risk. In a media release Tuesday evening, the non-profit Halifax Sexual Health Centre (HSHC) said its members learned on Monday of […]
Survey to identify and understand gaps in dementia care in Nova Scotia
An estimated 12,000 older adults in are living with dementia in Nova Scotia. With that number expected to continue rising as the population ages, researchers want to better support them and their families by improving the care and services they receive no matter where they live in the province. That’s why they’re seeking input from […]
As COVID spikes in wastewater across Canada, Halifax project hopes for funding renewal
As average levels of coronavirus found in Ottawa’s wastewater hit record highs and case numbers climb across the country, a wastewater surveillance project in Nova Scotia may soon see its funding renewed. Launched last January, the goal of the research project was to track the presence of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia wastewater to help researchers […]
Demand is up for flu shots
A survey from Canadian Pharmacists Association found that 56% of Canadians plan on getting a flu shot this season. Meanwhile, a local pharmacist says there's already a waitlist for flu shots at her pharmacy.
Diane Harpell is a frontline pharmacist and owns Medicine Shoppe pharmacy on Baker Drive in Dartmouth. Harpell recalled that for the 2020-21 flu season, demand for flu shots was “through the roof.” During last year’s flu season, pharmacies in Nova Scotia gave about 204,ooo flu shots to patients. “There are huge opportunities for that to be […]
Provincial deficit smaller than forecast
Nova Scotia finds itself $444.5 million in the hole despite a spring budget that anticipated a deficit of $585 million.
Instead of a deficit of $585 million dollars predicted in the spring budget introduced by the previous Liberal government, the province is now forecasting a shortfall of $444.5 million. Finance Minister Allan MacMaster gave an update on the province’s financial position on Wednesday. The improvement comes despite $397 million in increased spending by government departments. […]
Province to spend $96.5 million to renovate nursing homes, add new long-term care beds
Rankin: renovations to include replacing shared bathrooms, adding single rooms to add "greater focus on infection prevention and control."
The Halifax Examiner is providing all COVID-19 coverage for free. Please help us continue this coverage by subscribing. On Friday, Premier Iain Rankin announced plans to spend $96.5 million to renovate 17 long-term care facilities across the province and add 264 new nursing home beds in the long-term care homes in Nova Scotia Health’s Central […]
A plague of ticks, tick-borne diseases, and poli-ticks
Part 2: What can be done to better manage and minimize the risks of tick-borne diseases in Nova Scotia?
Part 2. In this second article of a two-part series on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Nova Scotia, we look at community involvement in the fight to have Lyme disease recognized as the serious health risk it is, what the federal and provincial governments are doing about it, and at what we need to know […]
A plague of ticks, tick-borne diseases, and poli-ticks
Part 1: Tick populations in Nova Scotia are exploding largely because of climate change and the province is Canada’s “hot spot” for Lyme disease. So, how is the province monitoring and managing tick-borne diseases and health risks?
This is the first article in a two-part series about ticks and tick-borne diseases in Nova Scotia — what we know about them and what we’re doing about them. Part 1 looks at some of the reasons for the tick population explosion and the increased incidence of Lyme disease, and what public health authorities are […]