This icon will flag items requiring action. Based on physician feedback, we’ve added this feature to streamline your review of this weekly newsletter. A summary of action items will also appear at the top for quick reference.

This Week's Action Items

1. If you haven't already, please review the memo regarding a confirmed measles case in the Central Zone. For information on measles screening, testing, vaccination, and Occupational Health guidance, visit the ERIN HUB.
2. Effective May 9, masking will no longer be required in clinical areas of Nova Scotia Health facilities.

More details below.

Earlier this week, Dr. Catherine Brown, Central Zone Regional Medical Officer of Health with Nova Scotia Health Public Health, shared a memo regarding a travel-related, laboratory-confirmed case of measles in the Central Zone. The individual had recently traveled to the United States, to a region not currently experiencing an active measles outbreak. They have received care and are now recovering at home. You can find the full memo here.

For information on measles screening, testing, vaccines, and Occupational Health guidance, please visit the ERIN HUB. If you have questions about available resources or guidance related to measles, contact ERINNetwork@nshealth.ca.

The Emerging and Re-emerging Infections Network (ERIN) continues to monitor viral respiratory activity, including COVID-19, Influenza A and B and RSV within hospitalized patients and the broader community. Thanks to the efforts of our staff, Nova Scotia Health can confidently adjust our masking requirements as per the Enhanced Masking Policy.

Effective May 9, masking will no longer be required within clinical areas of Nova Scotia Health facilities. Masking requirements during clinical interactions will be based on a Point of Care Risk Assessment or if deemed required by specific programs/services. Anyone who is symptomatic must don a mask to enter a facility. Signage will continue to be posted at entrances.

Those supporting patients at the highest risk of severe outcomes of infection may choose to require masking. Signage and masks should be placed in a visible location for patients and visitors upon entry to the unit.

The Nova Scotia Health Respiratory Virus Safety Plan and Masking Guidance has been updated for spring and summer 2025 to reflect these changes.

The epidemiology of respiratory viruses in the general population and in Nova Scotia Health facilities will continue to be monitored as we move into the fall months. Further adjustments to masking will be made in response to local epidemiology, which may include a return to universal masking during future seasons of increased viral respiratory activity.

Health care workers seeking additional advice and guidance can access communicable disease guidance on the Occupational Health Safety & Wellness Compass site.

If you have questions, regarding these changes, reach out to the Emerging & Re-emerging Infections Network at ERINnetwork@nshealth.ca. This memo and additional masking guidance can be found on the ERIN HUB in Safety Plan and Masking Guidance.

We are pleased to share that we continue to see increased activity in the eReferral tool since the gastroenterology launch on May 1, 2025. Thank you for your support, questions, and feedback—your engagement has been key to this successful launch and ongoing improvements.

This milestone is an important step toward improving access, quality, and consistency of gastroenterology care, including endoscopy care. This supports the priorities of the Endoscopy Services Operations Council and Nova Scotia Health’s commitment to expanding eReferrals.

Important reminder for referring providers:

No Resubmission Needed for Previously Accepted Faxed Referrals

Referring providers who have previously submitted faxed referrals before May 1,2025 and had them accepted, do not need to resubmit referrals.

Supports available to you:

• Direct in-person or virtual support: www.referralsns.ca/ask.
• For training resources and ongoing enhancement updates visit www.referralsns.ca
• Learn more about the eServices Program here.

~ shared on behalf of Dr. Nicole Boutilier, EVP Medicine and Clinical Operations, Shannon Ryan Carson, Senior Director, Palliative Care Network, and Dr. David Henderson, Senior Medical Director, Palliative Care Network 

Contrary to common misconception, palliative care is not limited to the end-of-life but supports and improves the quality of life for patients who live with a life limiting illness. Palliative care can include pain management, symptom management, advanced care planning, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual support, caregiver support and hospice care. A palliative approach to care can be provided by a wide range of providers and caregivers at any stage of a serious illness. The specialist palliative care team works collaboratively with other care team members to build their capacity in the palliative approach to care, provide advice, recommendations, and manage patients who are dealing with more complex and challenging symptoms throughout the disease trajectory.  

The role of palliative care is to help patients, and their loved ones manage illness on their terms, with the patients' values, goals and beliefs at the forefront. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing resources and stories with the goal of helping more people understand the benefits of palliative care and highlight the compassionate work of our palliative care team members across the province. 

Thank you to our exceptional teams of clinicians, physicians, and team members including volunteers, who provide palliative care within Nova Scotia Health. Your work makes a lasting impact on patients, loved ones and their communities.

Learn more about Palliative Care at Nova Scotia Health or visit the Palliative Care Library Guide.

A Heart for Palliative Care: Dr. David Henderson’s Transformative Journey

Compassion and transformation define the heart of palliative care in Nova Scotia, and few embody this more than Dr. David Henderson. As a leader within the province’s Palliative Care Network, he is dedicated to improving life for patients and families facing profound challenges. With a wealth of experience, a genuine passion for his work, and a touch of humor, Dr. Henderson has made a significant impact in the field of palliative care. 

Dr. Henderson’s journey began during his family medicine residency at Memorial University in Newfoundland. Initially expecting it to be “sad and depressing,” he instead found himself deeply touched. “This work is so important, and you realize you can make a real difference in people’s lives,” he shared. That month-long rotation ignited a passion that has guided his career for decades. 

Read more here.

Implementing a provincial clinical information system (CIS) across IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health is going to impact nearly every single physician, provider, clinician, and employee in our healthcare system. It will also impact patient care for every single person who visits one of our facilities.  

Ambulatory specialties and non-ambulatory workstreams with outpatient clinics are in scope for OPOR-CIS if their current registrations occur in IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health-owned systems. This excludes primary health care clinics. 

Referrals, waitlists, diagnostic imaging, and documentation will be supported by the OPOR-CIS. When implemented, the system will be a single log-in for all these functions. This captures the following high-level groupings of ambulatory care clinics: 

• Day treatment clinics (i.e., Stroke or injury rehabilitation) 
• Specialty diagnostic clinics (i.e., Pulmonary function testing clinic) 
• Community outreach / home visit clinics (e.g., IWK Health – Healthy Beginnings) 
• Single / multidiscipline clinics (e.g., Integrated chronic care service) 

To read more about the OPOR-CIS implementation and Ambulatory Clinics, check out the April Monthly Update on the OPOR Hub! 

Has the nicer weather got you thinking about summer vacation?

If you already have vacation booked and need locum coverage, now is the perfect time to visit our Locum Support webpage.

Simply fill out the form, and our Locum Recruitment Consultant, Liz Fraser, 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.

Taking some time off in the fall? Locum coverage isn’t available just for summer — it’s available year-round, and many residents are interested in locuming this fall. Be sure to complete the form to secure coverage.

If you have questions, please reach out to Liz, Physician Recruitment Consultant, at locumsupport@nshealth.ca.

Date: May 23, 2025, from 8:30am – 4:30 pm

Location: The Gathering Place, Antigonish Health and Wellness Centre (AH&WC)

Does it seem like all you do is fix other people's problems? Do you feel like you need to have all the answers?

Today's leaders seem to be constantly advising and guiding people. It seems like putting out other people's fires has become the norm for leaders in health care. Effective communication is a key to engagement and influence, and there never seems to be enough time to do it well.

But there are times when the shift from the role of adviser to coach can empower others to find their own solutions, so you have time for other priorities. When you begin to lead through coaching, you support the development of those around you, maximizing their performance and increasing productivity, and things do get done.

In this full day, interactive in-person session, you will learn to employ coaching techniques to improve your communication and leadership style for the sake of optimizing your team's potential. The session will be led by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald. Together, they bring 25 years of combined experience in coaching and professional development support.

Register here.

The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia invites you to attend the 30^th Annual General Meeting Friday, May 23, 2025 beginning at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will take place online via a virtual meeting platform.

Download the 30^th Annual General Meeting Agenda (PDF)

If you wish to attend, please RSVP by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 to: communications@cpsns.ns.ca.

On May 1, the Medical Affairs Women in Medicine Central Zone Community of Practice hosted a special evening with Dr. Mamta Gautam, centered around the important topic of Gender Equity in Medicine. The event brought together over 30 physicians from diverse backgrounds and stages in their careers, creating a vibrant and supportive space to share experiences, gain inspiration, and feel empowered.

Held in the private dining room at The Mercantile Social in Halifax, the venue provided a warm and welcoming backdrop for meaningful conversation and connection. The strong turnout highlighted the value and impact of these gatherings within the medical community.

Further programming is planned for Fall 2025. If you're interested in learning more or participating in future events, please contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, Physician Learning and Development, at janeebolivar@nshealth.ca.

1-833-876-1724

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.

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.