**** NSHA Media Release
Hurricane Fiona update: Most Nova Scotia Health services will operate as scheduled on Monday
Most Nova Scotia Health services will operate as scheduled Monday. However, areas most affected by Hurricane Fiona will see some changes in order to focus on the most urgent care.
Please note the following service changes planned for Monday. Other than separately announced emergency department closures, services not identified below are operating as scheduled.
- Eastern Zone: Emergency surgeries only Monday; Elective surgical procedures and endoscopies are cancelled. Efforts will be made to contact patients directly to reschedule their procedure however, these efforts could be affected by ongoing phone/network issues across the zone; urgent ambulatory care and outpatient clinics only Monday; Northside UTC will be open, COVID testing centres will be closed Monday so staff can be redeployed; Diabetes Education Centres/Clinics closed Monday; adult day programs through long term care closed Monday; rehab outpatients clinics closed Monday; primary care will provide care as clinics/offices open; appointments for lab (blood) collections and diagnostic imaging (X-Ray) will continue as scheduled. Cancer care, renal dialysis and Mental Health and Addictions appointments will continue as scheduled (please include as folks may be travelling for these services).
** Patients should consider the nature of booked appointments and whether any non-urgent appointments can be rescheduled.**
- Northern Zone: primary care services will be closed in leased locations that do not have power; COVID testing centres will be closed Monday so staff can be redeployed; some elective surgeries will be postponed.
- Central Zone: some elective surgeries at QEII will be postponed
- Western Zone: business as usual
Visit www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures for the most up-to-date closures and service changes.
While the focus Monday will be on emergency and urgent care for some zones, staff are expected to report to work as scheduled and could be deployed to other services to assist with care.
People are reminded not to travel to a scheduled care appointment if it is unsafe for them to travel.
Zone leaders will be assessing service levels throughout Monday and will provide an update.
