N.S. doctors say trickle-down effects of ER closures make their jobs a nightmare
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney is the only emergency department open in the CBRM right now, which is leading to higher than normal registration numbers and more demand on staff.
"On the nursing side, I can't tell you how many times I’ve come across my nursing colleagues in a closet crying. They're just finding it very difficult to cope with the volumes and patient demands," says Dr. Margaret Fraser, a physician in Sydney.
Cape Breton is not alone. Nova Scotia Health says many elective and same-day surgeries will be put on hold until at least the end of next week in the central zone that includes Halifax.
The northern zone has also been dealing with staffing challenges, which the province says has been made more difficult by the pandemic.
The provincial co-ordinator of the Nova Scotia Coalition says the health system was already stretched before the pandemic hit. Chris Parsons says to be fair to the PC government; it's too early for them to make any significant changes.
"That said, we've had all three major parties in power over the last 15 years and none of them fixed this problem, all of them exacerbated," added Parsons.
John White is the MLA for a community that has seen their emergency room closed for most of the summer. There's no clear time table on when the doors of the Glace Bay ER department will reopen.
"The health care tour is going across the province and we're going to meet with frontline workers. We know that when you speak with frontline workers you get better policies," says White.
Two anesthetists and a psychiatrist have signed job offers to practice in Cape Breton and two family doctors are staying in Halifax, but doctor Fraser says more help is needed.
"If you're working a 10-, 12-, or 14-hour shift with no end in sight you get very tired, despite your best efforts, mistakes will creep in," noted Fraser.
Nova Scotia Health expects people will continue to see longer than normal wait times in emergency departments into the fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.