The Nova Scotia NDP is looking to pass two bills to make the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) more accountable.
One bill, the Nova Scotia Health authority Openness Act, would see all of the health authority’s meetings open to the public and require agendas and minutes be posted publicly online.
The other, the Nova Scotia Health Authority Accountability Act, would require NSHA to track and publicly report information, such as wait times, percentage of people visiting ER who are without a family doctor, and number of patients in hospital beds waiting for long term care.
Gary Burrill, leader of the NDP, says the public shouldn’t have to struggle to get that information.
“A freedom of information request … is not public accessibility, it costs money, you have to know how to go about it,” says Burrill. “This is material that should be readily available online.”
According to the party, the majority of health authorities across the country have their regular meetings and AGMs open to the public.
In Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador, only AGMs are open to the public.
Other information the party wants tracked includes wait times between first intake appointments and admission to community-based mental health services and the percentage of patients admitted to community based mental health programs within six weeks of their intial intake appointment.
Burrill says having these bills in place would be the start of a province-wide conversation on health care.
“In order to have that discussion and to evaluate the work that’s being done, we need as complete statistics as are possible to be available.”
Although Burrill is doubtful the McNeil government will support the bills, he says it’s important as opposition to present new ideas.
Photo caption: FILE PHOTO
