A Publication for Members of Health Association Nova Scotia July 5, 2016 WHAT S INSIDE: Page 1 The IWK s Dr. Pat McGrath Receives National Legacy of Leadership Award Page 2 Doctors Agreements Ratified CIHI Announces Janet Davidson as New Board Chair Page 3 Welcome to... Upcoming Conferences Page 4 Continuing Care Council Highlights Page 5 New Industry Guidance for Health Product Labels will make it easier for Canadians to use Products Safely Page 8 Online News You May Have Missed Dartmouth General Hospital Renovation Reaches Another Milestone The IWK s Dr. Pat McGrath Receives National Legacy of Leadership Award Dr. Patrick McGrath was announced on June 10, 2016, as the recipient of HealthCareCAN s very first Legacy of Leadership award. Dr. McGrath is the Integrated Vice President, Research and Innovation at IWK Health Centre in Halifax and Nova Scotia Health Authority. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional individuals who have made long-lasting and outstanding contributions to advancing Canada s health system and have demonstrated significant and sustained commitment toward the enhancement of the health of Canadians. Dr. McGrath embodies the very best in leadership and has made a recognizably significant and lasting impact on the Canadian health system at the national level, said George Weber, President and CEO of the Royal Ottawa Hospital and member of the Board of Directors of HealthCareCAN. As Vice-President of Research and Innovation, he created Translating Research into Care grants a partnership amongst clinician scientists, administrators, patients, the QEII and IWK Foundations. He was instrumental in the development of BIOTIC, a translational imaging research facility and the IWK Research Registry to enable patient participation in research. Dr. McGrath is also a professor of Science, Pediatrics, Community Health and Epidemiology and Psychiatry at Dalhousie University where he founded and led for over a decade, the clinical psychology PhD program. He created the not for profit Strongest Families Institute that delivers mental health care to thousands of families across Canada, Finland and Vietnam. His research has helped inform pediatric pain internationally. Dr. McGrath has published over 290 peer reviewed papers, 50 book chapters and 14 books. He has received national and international awards and recognitions for his leadership, research, mentoring and advocacy including being appointed Officer of the Order of Canada, and elected Fellow, Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2013 he was co-winner of the Principal Award of the Manning Foundation for the best innovation in Canada for the Strongest Families Institute. 2 Dartmouth Rd. Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 2K7 902.832.8500 healthassociation.ns.ca The award was presented at the 2016 National Health Leadership Conference on June 7, 2016 in Ottawa. (Source: IWK News Release, May 13, 2016) 1
Doctors Agreements Ratified Nova Scotia s doctors have ratified two four-year agreements with government. The agreements include funding to improve access to care for Nova Scotians, bring new doctors to the province, and reduce wait times. The agreements will make progress on these goals while advancing government s plan to increase access to the number of collaborative care clinics across the province. These clinics will provide team-based health care so Nova Scotians get access to the health care they need, when they need it. This is good news for Nova Scotians, patients and families, said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. Doctors play a vital role in our plans to develop a modern, innovative health-care system and we will continue to work and communicate with doctors to improve access to care for Nova Scotians. The agreements include: $10 million to improve access to collaborative care in communities $7.5 million to recruit and retain doctors $3 million for innovative non face-to-face care raises of 1 per cent in the third year and 1.5 per cent in the fourth year These agreements work for Nova Scotians and for doctors, while staying within the fiscal plan, said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey. I would encourage other groups to come to the table in that same spirit. The agreement-in-principle with the province s doctors, who are represented by Doctors Nova Scotia, was reached in April. The agreements include the Physician Master Agreement and the Physician Alternative Funding Plan, impacting more than 2800 doctors. (Source: Health and Wellness/Finance and Treasury Board News Release, June 29, 2016) CIHI Announces Janet Davidson as New Board Chair The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) announced the appointment of Janet Davidson, officer of the Order of Canada (OC), as the new chair of their Board of Directors, effective immediately. She has served on CIHI s Board of Directors as vice chair since 2014 and as a representative for Ontario, the Prairies and Canada at large since 2010. Ms. Davidson is presently working in health care consulting and most recently served as deputy minister of Health in Alberta. She has more than 40 years health care management experience in the voluntary, hospital and government sectors in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Ms. Davidson has been extensively involved in global humanitarian work and served for 10 years in a senior governance capacity with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva. She is an officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and was recently appointed a Senior Fellow with the C.D. Howe Institute. Ms. Davidson graduated as a nurse from the Toronto East General Hospital, has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Windsor and a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Alberta. She is a graduate of the Directors Education Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto s Rotman School of Management and of the Global Health Leadership program of the University of California, Berkeley s School of Public Health; she also has an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor. Ms. Davidson has been named twice to the list of Canada s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and was also named twice as one of Canada s Top 25 Most Influential Women. Janet Davidson is one of the most respected leaders in the health care community across Canada and internationally, with more than 40 years experience in the voluntary, hospital and government sectors in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. There is no one better positioned to succeed Dr. Brian Postl as chair. Janet s vision and commitment have helped shape CIHI s new strategic directions, and I look forward to working with Janet and the other members of the Board to implement that plan and ensure we continue to provide actionable information that improves the health of Canadians and management of Canada s health systems, says David O Toole, CIHI s president and CEO. (Source: CIHI News Release, June 14, 2016) 2
Welcome to... The Health Association is pleased to welcome Riverview Enhanced Living Society to our membership. Riverview Enhanced Living has been a leader in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, in caring for adults with special needs since 1976. Welcome! Upcoming Conferences KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT DEMENTIA - ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NOVA SCOTIA S 27TH PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE On October 17 & 18, 2016 the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia will hold its 27th provincial conference. You will leave with a better knowledge of the latest research and care strategies, greater understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and be more reflective of ethical issues to consider when supporting or caring for someone with dementia. Date: October 17 & 18, 2016 Place: Harbourview Holiday Inn, Dartmouth NS For Registration materials or to register online visit: http://www.alzheimer.ca/ns or contact: Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia Tel 902-422-7961 or 1-800-611-6345 Early Bird registration discount available until September 11, 2016 DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MUSIC IN CARE? If so, then the Music Care Certificate Program is for you! This program is suitable for allied health care providers, family and volunteer caregivers, musicians, teachers - anyone who would like to increase their knowledge and practical applications of music in care. Level 1 will introduce students to basic theory and application of music care, and offer strategies that can be applied to various settings. No prior musical or health-sector experience is required. This 14-hour course will prepare you to: Understand the basic principles of music in care Gain confidence using specific music care techniques Develop a strategic plan for a music care program in your care setting About the Music Care Certificate Program Sept. 16-17 in Antigonish, NS Oct. 14-15 in Saint John, NB The Music Care Certificate Program is complementary to other professional trainings, and can help inform other scopes of practice and caregiving experiences. This certificate may be used as proof of additional training, continuing education, or professional development in the area of music care. For email inquiries, contact Deb at dbartlett@room217.ca 3
Continuing Care Council Highlights The Continuing Care Council is here to represent sector needs and issues that have an impact on member organizations. If you have any questions or concerns please contact a Council representative or Health Association Member & Partner Engagement staff. Council Members: Annette Fougere, Chair St. Anne Community & Nursing Care Centre annette.fougere@sacentre.nshealth.ca Pam Smith, Vice Chair, Western Region Home Support, pamsmith@bellaliant.net Sharon Crane, Cape Breton County Homemakers sharon@cbcohomemakers.ca Caroline Campbell, Shannex Healthcare Inc. ccampbell@shannex.com Millie Colbourne, Breton Ability Centre; (ARC/RRC Rep) mcolbourne@cb-bac.ca Carol Curley, VON Pictou & Cumberland carol.curley@von.ca Roberta Duchesne, Harbourview Lodge roberta.duchesne@nshealth.ca Michele Lowe, Northwood in the Community mlowe@nwood.ns.ca Helen Marsh, New Waterford Homecare Service Society hmarsh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Josie Ryan, Northwoodcare jryan@nwood.ns.ca Highlights from the June meeting include: Strategic Planning Council is due for a full review of their strategic directions in the fall. Quality indicators due to the recent changes at DHW, a report and draft framework are being prepared to share with Bob Lafferty to bring him up to date on the work of the coalition. The Home Care Quality Indicators Working Group recently requested performance indicator information from agencies to determine if they will be able to gather data expected to be embedded in the service agreements. HHR Doug Stephens and Michele Lowe attended the provincial working group meeting. Council will look at possibly tackling uptake of the CCA Registry and have invited CCA PAC reps to a future meeting to discuss. LTC Finance Planning Working Group / Group Purchasing with the announcement of a 1% global budget reduction, a broader financial working group has been struck to continue this work. Their initial meeting is scheduled for mid-july. NSNU Broken Homes Report Josie Ryan, Carson Samson and Mary Lee attended a consultation session with representatives from NSNU, NSHA, long term care employers and government to discuss the recommendations contained in the report. Carson Samson, Richmond Villa carson.samson@richmondvilla.ca Doug Stephens, MacLeod Group doug@macleodgroup.ca Jorge VanSlyke, Grand View Manor jorge.vanslyke@grandviewmanor.org Angela Berrette, Saint Vincent s Nursing Home aberrette@svnh.ca Upcoming Council Meetings: July 14, 2016 August 11, 2016 4
New Industry Guidance for Health Product Labels will make it easier for Canadians to use Products Safely IMPROVED LABELS WILL MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CONFUSION AND HARMFUL MEDICATION MISTAKES Health Canada released new guidance on June 30, 2016 for industry that will help improve the safe use of health products. This will make product labels and packages easier for consumers and health professionals to read and understand. This guidance is provided in two Good Label and Package Practices guides, one for non-prescription (i.e. over-thecounter) drugs and natural health products, and the other for prescription drugs. Together, they will provide industry with direction for designing clear and effective health product labels and packages. As part of the guidance, instructions are provided for a new standardized Facts Table that will be required on the outer labels of non-prescription drugs, such as cough syrups, pain and fever relievers and allergy remedies. Using the new Facts Table will make it easier for Canadians to read, understand and use over-the-counter health products safely and to find important product safety information like ingredients, directions and warnings. The table is modelled after the Canadian Nutrition Facts table for foods and a similar table used for non-prescription drugs in the U.S., and is a requirement that will be phased into the Canadian marketplace starting June 2017. The guides are a part of Health Canada s Plain Language Labelling Initiative, under which important action has been taken to make product labels and packaging information easier to read and understand. This includes introducing the Plain Language Labelling Regulations with new requirements for clear, understandable labels including the Facts Table for non-prescription drugs -- that are being phased into effect. The guides were developed collaboratively by Health Canada and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada, in consultation with stakeholders and an expert panel that included Canadian health professional and patient (Source: Health Canada news release, June 30, 2016) Health Association Nova Scotia has Twitter Tweet us or follow us @HealthAssnNS 5
Online News You May Have Missed June 22, 2016 In-home COPD care improves life, saves money MICHAEL ROBINSON THE TORONTO STAR Project shows hospital visits can be slashed if patients get help to manage disease at home. Read more... https://www.thestar.com/life/health_ wellness/2016/06/22/in-home-copd-care-improveslife-saves-money.html July 4, 2016 - Study supports reducing antibiotics for sore throat, ear infections CBC NEWS Treatment without antibiotics avoids side-effects and is not linked to serious complications. When family doctors prescribe fewer antibiotics for coughs, colds, sore throats and ear infections, it isn t linked to an increase in the most serious bacterial complications, such as bacterial meningitis, U.K. researchers have found. Read more... http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/antibiotics-1.3664279 Dartmouth General Hospital Renovation Reaches Another Milestone Thirty-five patients moved into newly renovated space at Dartmouth General Hospital the week of June 24, 2016. I d like to thank both patients and staff at the hospital who may have experienced some inconvenience during the renovations to modernize and update this facility, said Premier Stephen McNeil. The completion of this phase, means we are at the halfway point in the renovations to the third and fourth floors. The renovations included: new central control centres where staff can work more efficiently as a team on patient care upgrades to patient rooms and washrooms that better accommodate those in wheelchairs and walkers new handwashing sinks in hallways for health-care workers new utility rooms where medical equipment can be safely cleaned and sterilized that will save nurses time and enhance infection control The third floor, east wing renovations will make a huge difference for our patients, their families and our staff, said Adrienne Malloy, president of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. We are pleased, through the generosity of our donors, to be part of a project that is helping to enhance care at our hospital. This is the second of four units to be renovated. The project will cost about $6.5 million over two years. The Department of Health and Wellness has committed $4.85 million towards the project with the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation funding the remaining $1.6 million. These renovations help ensure we re using our health-care assets in the most efficient way possible for the benefit of patients and health-care providers, said Dr. Todd Howlett, Dartmouth General Hospital s chief of staff. It is an important step toward providing better access to health care that will meet the needs of Nova Scotians, but particularly the residents of Dartmouth and surrounding communities, for years to come. This is part of the QEII redevelopment project that will better connect Nova Scotians to the care they need. It will also enhance Dartmouth General s role in the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Some patients and surgeries that do not require the specialized care provided by the QEII Health Sciences Centre will be moved to Dartmouth General. A video on the Dartmouth General s renovations and updates on the QEII redevelopment project can be found at: http://qe2redevelopment.ca/. (Source: Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal/Health and Wellness news release, June 24, 2016) 6