Monthly Archives: November 2011

Earlier this year an RN told me that until he lost his spouse he viewed death differently. His spouse’s death was the first time that death was personal not professional. And while he is an otherwise compassionate person, actually experiencing … Continue reading →

This week we learn the wait times for long-term care beds in Nova Scotia have risen. In spite of adding over 1,000 new beds, the wait time is up 35 percent. See: http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/36075-wait-time-long-term-care-beds-grows Why? Is it really a lack of … Continue reading →

The Valley Health Foundation is spending $60,000 to renovate a kitchen at the clinic in Wolfville. The purpose, I am told, is to give cooking classes to people with diabetes. Since both clinics have had the hours they see patients … Continue reading →

Divide and conquer seems to best describe the modus operandi for Nova Scotia’s health care system. Nova Scotia’s system is reminiscent of the television game show where the intemperate short-haired female host dismissed contestants with the phrase, “You ARE the weakest … Continue reading →

In 2000 when then Premier, Dr. John Hamm created Nova Scotia’s 10 health care authorities the idea was to decentralize decision-making and give local people more say in health care decisions. While admirable, it’s an idea that didn’t live up … Continue reading →

Shakespeare, in one of the most famous couplets in the English language, wrote: “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Gertrude Stein added, “Rose is a rose is a … Continue reading →

Re-listening to Health Minister Maureen MacDonald’s conversation with Don Connelly on CBC Halifax’s Information Morning (October 5th http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns/2011/10/05/too-many-administrators/) I realize she made the case for amalgamation of Nova Scotia’s 10 health care authorities. In highlighting the co-operative initiatives her department … Continue reading →