About Us

The health and well-being of the health and community services workforce and the quality of their work environment has a profound impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the service they deliver and support they provide. Over 50,000 Nova Scotians work in some aspect of the community and health care sector in Nova Scotia. The facts indicate that the people working in this sector have a greater risk of workplace injuries, both physical and psychological, than any other occupational group. Since 1987, Canadians in health occupations lost an average of 1.5 times more days due to illness or disability than the average for all other occupations (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2005).

Clearly, health and safety are a primary concern.

AWARE-NS, the Nova Scotia Health and Community Services Safety Association, made up of community and health professionals, was founded in the spring of 2009 to address these issues. With a mission to work with stakeholders and partners to promote and improve safety and health in Healthcare and Community Services workplaces, our focus is to promote a culture of workplace safety and well-being that will begin to reverse the trend of injuries and illness within the sector.

We recognize that nothing short of transformational change is required to reach our vision:  safe and healthy people; safe and healthy workplaces. Ultimately, the sustainability of the healthcare and community services system, which affects all Nova Scotians, depends on a strong and consistent supply of healthy workers. There is a broad consensus that we must do more to support and develop our current workforce. AWARE-NS works to engage everyone around this shared agenda for change.

AWARE-NS is governed by a Board of Directors representing district health authorities, community based care, facility based long term care, front line workers and labour. The Directors seek support and guidance from stakeholders in the health and community services sector therefore; a representative from each of the following is invited to every Director’s meeting in an ex-officio capacity:

AWARE-NS is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness.

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About Us

The health and well-being of the health and community services workforce and the quality of their work environment has a profound impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the service they deliver and support they provide. Over 50,000 Nova Scotians work in some aspect of the community and health care sector in Nova Scotia. The facts indicate that the people working in this sector have a greater risk of workplace injuries, both physical and psychological, than any other occupational group. Since 1987, Canadians in health occupations lost an average of 1.5 times more days due to illness or disability than the average for all other occupations (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2005).

Clearly, health and safety are a primary concern.

AWARE-NS, the Nova Scotia Health and Community Services Safety Association, made up of community and health professionals, was founded in the spring of 2009 to address these issues. With a mission to work with stakeholders and partners to promote and improve safety and health in Healthcare and Community Services workplaces, our focus is to promote a culture of workplace safety and well-being that will begin to reverse the trend of injuries and illness within the sector.

We recognize that nothing short of transformational change is required to reach our vision:  safe and healthy people; safe and healthy workplaces. Ultimately, the sustainability of the healthcare and community services system, which affects all Nova Scotians, depends on a strong and consistent supply of healthy workers. There is a broad consensus that we must do more to support and develop our current workforce. AWARE-NS works to engage everyone around this shared agenda for change.

AWARE-NS is governed by a Board of Directors representing district health authorities, community based care, facility based long term care, front line workers and labour. The Directors seek support and guidance from stakeholders in the health and community services sector therefore; a representative from each of the following is invited to every Director’s meeting in an ex-officio capacity:

AWARE-NS is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness.