Health authorities merger takes effect
Posted Apr 1, 2015 08:34:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Today, nine of the province’s district health authorities become one, the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
Health authority Janet Knox said for patients, nothing changes, they will continue to access health services the same way they have always done.
She said health care workers will still to answer to the same managers and directors.
“The change for them is that the executive teams that would have been in their local district health authorities, will not be there,” said Knox. “There will be one leadership team for the province.”
It took months to sort out issues with labour, and get the amalgamation figured out, but health minister Leo Glavine said patients will be better served now.
He added the simplified administration system will help the government keep track of expenses.
“I think it’s going to give us more immediate and stronger information than we’ve been used to getting in the department,” said Glavine.
The provincial government passed amendments to the Health Authorities Act yesterday, changing the way health care workers are represented at the bargaining table.
Four councils of unions will now negotiate on behalf of nurses, health care, support and administrative workers.
