**** NSHA Media Release
Update to Nova Scotia Health services impacted by significant snowfall in Eastern Zone
Nova Scotia Health is advising that some non-emergency services will continue to be reduced in Eastern Zone (Cape Breton Island, Antigonish and Guysborough counties) due to winter storm clean-up and road conditions in many areas.
Inpatient services continue to be provided at all sites in Eastern Zone. The following service changes outlined below are planned for Wednesday, Feb. 7. Other than separately announced emergency department closures, services not identified below are operating as scheduled.
- Emergency and urgent surgeries only Wednesday; elective surgical procedures and endoscopies are cancelled.
- Outpatient diagnostic imaging (x-ray, MRI, CT, etc.) services and appointments will resume as scheduled.
- Outpatient lab (blood collections) appointments are cancelled for CBRM sites but will resume as scheduled at all other sites in Eastern Zone.
- Ambulatory Care clinics at sites in CBRM will provide urgent care only. Patients will be contacted directly. Ambulatory Care clinics at sites in Antigonish, Baddeck, Canso, Cheticamp, Evanston, Guysborough, Inverness, Neils Harbour and Sherbrooke are being provided as scheduled.
- Renal dialysis is being provided as scheduled. Patients are asked to call ahead before their appointments.
- Cancer care clinics and services will be provided as scheduled with virtual care provided as appropriate.
- Mental Health and Addictions continues to provide emergency crisis urgent care and inpatient services. Community Mental Health and Addictions (Adult and Child) will provide virtual care with some in-person care as appropriate. Clients are asked to phone ahead before attending their outpatient clinic appointment. Clients are also being contacted directly about their appointment.
- Most Primary Care clinics in CBRM will remain closed and offer virtual care as appropriate. As community clinics are able to open, in-person appointments will be offered. Primary care in Antigonish and rural clinics will be mainly virtual with some in-person being offered where possible. Patients will be contacted about their appointment.
- Outpatient clinics for Rehabilitation Services, including Heart Lung Wellness Centre, Hip and Knee Clinic, and Obesity Care Clinic will see urgent cases only. Adult day programs through long-term care will be closed.
- All clinics and home visits for Public Health are cancelled. The Public Health Mobile Clinic scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre is cancelled.
Efforts will be made to contact patients and clients directly to reschedule their appointments or procedures. Patients are asked to consider the nature of their booked appointments and whether any non-urgent appointments can be rescheduled. Please do not attempt to travel to a scheduled care appointment if it is unsafe for you to travel.
While the focus for Wednesday remains on emergency and urgent care, staff are expected to report to work as scheduled and could be asked to support other services with care. Eastern Zone leadership will be assessing service availability throughout Wednesday and will provide an update.
Services in Central, Northern and Western zones will operate as usual on Wednesday.
Visit www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures for the most up-to-date closures and service changes.
While the focus remains on emergency and urgent care in Eastern zone, staff are expected to report to work as scheduled and could be asked to support other services with care. Zone leaders will be assessing service levels throughout Tuesday and will provide an update.
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Provincial media line: 1-844-483-3344
About Nova Scotia Health
Nova Scotia Health provides health services to Nova Scotians and a wide array of specialized services to Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians. We operate hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province. Our team of health professionals includes employees, doctors, researchers, learners and volunteers. We also work in partnership with community groups, schools, governments, foundations and auxiliaries and community health boards. Visit nshealth.ca for more information.
