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Central Zone OPOR Roadshows happening this month
The OPOR team will be hosting roadshow events in January in preparation for the upcoming implementation of OPOR across Central Zone in May. These drop-in events are designed to immerse future users in the functionalities of the CIS, with interactive stations and hands-on experience. Registation is not required! Learn more about roadshows, including upcoming dates and locations, at the OPOR Hub.
Looking for the latest OPOR updates?
The OPOR Hub brings together everything physicians need to know in one place, including clinical workflows, supports and event details, as we prepare for upcoming OPOR implementations. To stay informed and ready, visit the OPOR Hub.
| Reminder: New eReferral Tools for Diagnostic Imaging | |
Before the holidays, we announced new offerings through the Ocean electronic referral (eReferral) tool, with four additional Diagnostic Imaging (DI) modalities now available for: computed tomography (CT), interventional radiology (IR), nuclear medicine and fluoroscopy. These additions build on existing DI eReferral services in MRI, ultrasound and bone mineral density and support more integrated, digital referral pathways across Nova Scotia.
Referring providers now also have access to the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Clinical Decision Support Guidelines, embedded directly within DI eReferral forms to support appropriate test selection.
Learn more at www.referralsns.ca.
| Reminder: Care Coordination Centre (C3) Escalations Workshop | | |
Join the provincial C3 team for a virtual workshop on escalation processes. This session will provide practical guidance and tools to help you use escalations effectively and ensure smooth coordination across care teams. This workshop is open to all frontline staff and physicians.
🗓 Date: January 15, 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
Join us to learn:
- What an escalation is and when to use it
- Practical steps before escalating
- How escalations reduce your workload and improve patient flow
- Real examples of changes driven by frontline escalations
- Review how to escalate in the PM Tile, with a focus on the recently enhanced escalation features
Register here.
| | Virtual Education Session: Frailty & Dignity of Risk | | The Frailty and Elder Care Network invites you to join them for a free learning opportunity focused on supporting older adults living with frailty, while preserving their autonomy and dignity. | | Locum Coverage for Vacations | | |
Are you a physician planning some well-deserved time off?
If you already have vacation booked and need locum coverage, now is the perfect time to visit the Locum Support webpage.
Simply fill out the form and Liz Fraser, Locum Recruitment Consultant, will create a posting on your behalf to share with potential candidates – including graduating residents who may be looking for locum opportunities before starting their own practices.
Reach out to locumsupport@nshealth.ca with any questions or for more information.
| | Updates to List of Diseases Notifiable to Public Health | | |
As of Dec. 31, 2025, the following diseases have been removed from Nova Scotia’s Notifiable Disease list and no longer require reporting to Public Health:
- Meningitis (bacterial)
- Note: invasive meningococcal disease remains reportable
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)
English and French versions of the “It’s the Law” posters have been updated for use in clinics/offices.
| | New CPSNS Standards Approved | | |
In December 2025, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia Council approved the following professional standards:
| | New Site Leadership – Roseway | | |
Congratulations to all winners of this year's NS Health Quality Awards. These awards recognize outstanding initiatives that advance quality improvement, patient safety, patient experience and teamwork, and achieve lasting impact.
A full list of recipients can be found here.
| | Dr. Pat Croskerry Appointed to Order of Canada | | |
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Patrick Croskerry who, on December 31, was appointed as a Member to the Order of Canada. Dr. Croskerry, who previously served as Dartmouth General Hospital's Emergency Department Chief and Director of Dalhousie's Critical Thinking program, was recognized for his work to enhance patient care by analyzing factors that contribute to diagnostic errors. Read more.
| | West Bedford Clinic Offers Glimpse Into Primary Care's Future | | |
At West Bedford Medical Clinic, intentional design, smart use of technology and strong quality improvement practices come together to support access, efficiency and patient experience. Tools like digital check-in and AI-supported charting help reduce administrative burden, giving care teams more time to focus on what matters most: their patients.
Read how this clinic is bringing to life many of the principles shaping primary care in NS, including lean processes, regular team huddles and a focus on continuous improvement that supports smoother clinic flow and timely care.
| | Dr. Dennis Brown's Residency Journey | | |
Calgarian Dr. Dennis Brown, a family medicine resident, was drawn to Nova Scotia by the ocean, Maritime hospitality and well-rounded training. Here, he's found balance, support and community – both in and outside of the clinic.
Read his story here.
| | Physician Learning Opportunities | | |
Practice-Ready, Proven: How PACE Assesses Physician Competence
The Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE) and Physician Recruitment team invite you to an upcoming webinar led by Dr. Keri McAdoo, CEO of PACE, in collaboration with Shelley Stoyles, Manager, Physician Recruitment, Medical Affairs. This webinar will provide a clear, transparent look at how competence is assessed at PACE, the standards applied, and why physicians who successfully complete the program are safe to practice in Nova Scotia communities.
🗓 Date: February 4, 2026
🕚 Time: 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
This session will cover:
- Why PACE
- The eligibility and selection criteria for PACE
- How PACE conducts workplace-based assessment
- What evidence is collected to support recommendations to the College for licensing decisions
- How concerns are identified, escalated, and addressed
- Why completion of PACE represents demonstrated competence
- Understanding Return of Service
- Why be an assessor or supervisor
Why this matters
Internationally trained physicians are essential to Canada’s health system – but only when assessment is rigorous and defensible. This session is designed to answer common questions with a focus on data, process and transparency.
Register here.
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NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series – Inspired Leadership for Physicians: Leading with Presence, Empathy and Purpose and Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Seminar Series
Understanding Grief and Grief Literacy (session 1 of 4)
Participants will learn to define different forms of grief in the context of medical practice and reflect on how grief is acknowledged – or not acknowledged – within clinical training and practice. Different examples of loss that physicians may encounter will be explored and discussed.
🗓 Date: January 22, 2026
🕚 Time: 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
This session will be facilitated by Dr. Sarah Burm, Associate Professor and Education Research Scientist in the Office of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University, and Matt Fillier, Grief Practice Lead, Palliative Care Network, NS Health.
Register here.
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This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 1.5 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits per session.
This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours per session (credits are automatically calculated).
Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.
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Adult Mental Health Practice Support Program
The Adult Mental Health Practice Support Program provides training and support for family physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health staff to strengthen confidence in diagnosing and managing mild to moderate depression, anxiety and substance use while using a trauma-informed approach to care.
Certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the program offers up to 44 Mainpro+ Certified Credits and uses a quality-improvement model that combines interactive learning sessions with hands-on implementation in daily practice. Originally piloted in Nova Scotia, the program has shown increased confidence, comfort and reduced stigma among participating primary care providers.
Winter 2026 registration is now open (limited spaces available)
Cohort 1: Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., as follows:
- January 24
- February 21
- March 28
- April 25 (only for prescribers)
- May 30
- June 27
Register here for Cohort 1.
Cohort 2: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., as follows:
- January 27
- February 24
- March 31
- April 28 (only for prescribers)
- June 2
- June 30
Register here for Cohort 2.
Learn more about the Adult Mental Health Practice Support Program here.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | | | |
If you're a physician seeking support for your practice or wishing to provide feedback, please reach out to our hotline. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
In the event we're engaged in another call, rest assured your voice message will be promptly addressed within one business day. Your concerns will be directed to the Medical Affairs team and our health system partners for resolution.
Our task force is committed to returning calls and scheduling meetings with practices at mutually convenient times.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | |
Wellness resources for physicians have been migrated to an actively monitored page on the Physician Information Portal. You can access it here.
If you have an item to submit, please reply to this newsletter.
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