Category: Uncategorized

Putting the program elements together –

It’s time for STEP 3
Let’s check in….check out what needs to be completed and check it off the list!
 

Join us in welcoming Scott Bennett as our new OHS Program Development Coordinator. Scott joined the AWARE-Team on May 26, 2014. Under the direction of Heather Matthews, OHS Specialist, Scott will focus on the development of   OHS program tools, resources and training materials. Through his participation in COSP, Workplace Violence Prevention, and the Soteria Strains Projects, he will facilitate stakeholder engagement through program development.  Scott comes to AWARE-NS with 14 years’ experience with Capital Health, formal education in Occupational and Safety Management and brings his passion and his knowledge to help build a work-safe culture.
To reach Scott by phone 832-7441 or by email [email protected]
 

To Our Valued Stakeholders and Partners
Please take note and mark our new date in your calendars:
Over the past few weeks, AWARE-NS has undertaken a formal Membership drive for the Association and Board Recruitment/nomination process. It has been our plan to invite our Membership to the AGM where the new slate of directors will be presented for approval in keeping with the reduced Board size and with the composition outlined in the stakeholder review recommendations.
We recognize the importance of member contribution to our success as an organization and therefore have decided to defer the AGM to September to allow for a broader response to our campaign for membership.
Please note that the AGM will now be held on September,25, 2014 at Ivany Place in Bedford. Further details will follow over the summer.
If would like to attend our AGM on September 25th, please contact [email protected] or by phone 832-3868.

Health and Wellness

June 3, 2014 10:14 AM

Government will continue focusing on quality care and patient safety, and accessibility to services so Nova Scotians can get the care they need, when they need it.
Those are some of the many themes in the province’s report, Putting Patients First, What We Heard, part of Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine’s listening and learning tour of Nova Scotia’s 10 district health authorities.
“I thank Nova Scotia’s health-care workers, volunteers, and community members for sharing their expertise and experience with us,” said Mr. Glavine. “Their insights are helping to build a better health-care system, one that enhances our culture of patient safety and quality.”
Mr. Glavine said the report will help guide the Transition and Design team work currently underway. The team, recently announced, is responsible for recommending a new design structure for a provincial health authority.
Government is streamlining Nova Scotia’s health-care system, reducing 10 health authorities to two by April 1, 2015, with one provincial board and the IWK remaining as a separate authority.
Mr. Glavine visited each health authority during his listening tour and spoke with health professionals, administrators, front-line workers, physicians, community leaders, volunteers, union representatives, and others.
“A new, streamlined health authority will still need strong, community-based leadership,” said Mr. Glavine. “Community health boards, foundations, and auxiliaries will continue to be vital supports to their local areas, hospitals, services, and communities.”
The public can provide feedback at /http://novascotia.ca/dhw/PatientCentredHealthCare . The full report is available under publications.

Health and Wellness

May 15, 2014 1:49 PM
Members of an advisory committee have been chosen to help develop the province’s first comprehensive strategy for people with dementia and their families. The members include a Nova Scotian who is living with dementia, a family caregiver, service providers, and health-care professionals.
“This is an important step towards our goal to enhance delivery of dementia care and treatment in this province,” said Health and Wellness minister Leo Glavine. “The dementia strategy will make the best use of support for those living with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers.”
Lloyd Brown, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, and Ruby Knowles, executive director of Continuing Care at the Department of Health and Wellness, are the committee co-chairs. Other committee members named today are:

  • Dr. Melissa Andrew, geriatrician, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax
  • Angus Campbell, executive director, Caregivers Nova Scotia
  • Dr. Keri-Leigh Cassidy, clinical academic director, Geriatric Psychiatry and Seniors Mental Health Program, QEII Health Sciences Centre
  • Janice Chalmers, registered nurse, Northwood Home Care, Halifax
  • Krista Connell, CEO, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
  • Sharon Davis-Murdoch, special advisor on Diversity and Social Inclusion, Department of Health and Wellness
  • Heather Fifield, member at large
  • Rev. Faye Forbes, member at large who is living with dementia
  • Patricia Harrington, manager, Continuing Care, Cumberland Health Authority
  • Lorna MacPherson, director, Services for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Community Services
  • Brenda Nicholson, director of resident care, Alderwood Nursing Home, Baddeck
  • Tony Prime, co-ordinator, Adult Mental Health, Mental Health, Children’s Services and Addictions, Department of Health and Wellness
  • Dr. Celina White, chair, Nova Scotia Physician Recruitment and Retention Action Team, Amherst
  • Faizal Nanji, Department of Seniors
  • Bill VanGorder, Group of IX

“We’re off to a great start,” said Mr. Brown. “With the advisory committee in place, we are well-positioned to produce a meaningful strategy that will support persons with the disease and their care-givers.”
The dementia strategy, which was announced in January, aims to improve timely access to services, provide support for caregivers, and ensure people affected by dementia can remain independent for as long as possible.
Nova Scotia has the oldest population per capita in the country. Each month, about 1,000 Nova Scotians turn 65. As of July 1, 2013, Statistics Canada reports 166,519 Nova Scotians or 17.7 per cent of the province’s total population are 65 or older. The provincial dementia strategy will be delivered to the minister next spring.

The WCB is consulting with Nova Scotians on compensation for occupational noise induced hearing loss. The consultation documents will be available on-line until July 31, 2014, and all Nova Scotians are invited to provide feedback to the WCB on this topic.
The adjudication of occupational noise induced hearing loss is a complex issue in Nova Scotia. The changes the WCB is proposing to the existing policy are intended to clarify the WCB’s approach to compensating for these injuries, resulting in consistent claims adjudication and a reduction in the burden on the appeal system.
Please review the consultation paper and draft policy revisions, and provide your feedback on the proposed policy changes. The consultation period is March 27 until July 31, 2014.

By email:

Send comments to Kevin Foster at [email protected]

By Mail:

Kevin Foster
Manager of Strategy Support and Planning
Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
PO Box 1150,Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Y2

BRUSSELS, April 7 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) on Monday launched a new healthy workplaces campaign with the aim of protecting the health and safety of workers.
Themed “managing stress and psychosocial risks at work,” the campaign addresses one of the most significant challenges in respect of health and safety at work, according to the EU’s statement.
The move will provide workers and employers with simple and practical tools to deal with psychosocial risks and will raise awareness of the positive effects of prevention in this field.
Stress is the second most frequently reported work-related health problem. In Europe, stress is believed to be the cause of more than half of all lost working days, the statement said.
Workers affected by stress find it difficult to concentrate, make more mistakes and are subject to more frequent accidents at work. Prolonged psychological pressure may result in serious health problems such as cardiovascular or musculoskeletal diseases.
Addressing stress and psychosocial risks is included in the forthcoming EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2014-2020, due to be presented in June, Laszlo Andor, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said.
healthy-workplaces.eu

“The Nova Scotia WCB has posted on its website the (new) policy regarding workplace stress: Psychological Injury Policy 1.3.9 was posted on March 31, 2014.”
“Employers of federal employees should reference Policy 1.3.6“

The province wants to hear from Nova Scotians who use continuing care services or care for a friend or family member.
Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine announced today, March 24, that government will create a client advisory council to help improve home care, long-term care and protective services.
For the full article…click here
 

AWARE-NS is pleased to offer its valued partners and stakeholders a onetime pre-paid offer to trial one selection from the six most popular courses available on our E-Campus.
Please note that course pins and passwords will be distributed on a first come first serve basis as there is a limit on availability.
The following six courses are included in the offering:

  1. Dementia
  2. Fire Safety
  3. Infection Control and Prevention Basics for Health Care Workers
  4. Joint OH&S Committee (NS specific)
  5. Staying Safe While Providing Community Based Care and Support in NS
  6. WHMIS Refresher

Your organization may select one course from the group of six courses listed and are limited to five pre- paid purchases. Course selections can be submitted between March 10th and 21st, 2014, by following the steps listed below:

Step 1: Make your course selection from the course list above.

Step 2: E-mail your request to [email protected]. Please provide the following:

  1. Organization name; telephone number and address
  2. Contact person’s name, email address and direct line if applicable (this individual will be responsible for the distribution of course pins and passwords within your organization and will be given an employer access code and passcode to facilitate this process.)

Step 3: AWARE-NS will facilitate the purchase of the number of courses requested and will distribute the required access pins and passwords to the identified contact.

Step 4: Identified contact within your organization distributes course pins and passwords to end users.

Please note that there will be no expiry date for the course pins but administrators may want designate completion dates for staff within their individual organizations.
For further information pertaining to this pre-paid trial please contact Morah at [email protected] or at 902-832-7441