Emergency department closure report shows problems persist at most troubled N.S. locations

A recent report on emergency department closures in Nova Scotia indicates that while there have been some improvements, the province’s major problem sites are still struggling. The annual closure report, which was posted online by the provincial government in compliance with legislation, shows a decrease in closures for the 2023-24 period compared to the previous year. However, there are notable differences in this year’s report.

Unlike previous reports, the 2023-24 report does not include data on scheduled closure hours at each site. Additionally, sites that have transitioned from emergency departments to urgent treatment centers, such as All Saints Hospital in Springhill and Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital in Middle Musquodoboit, are not included in the report. This means that the closure hours associated with these sites in past reports are not reflected in the current document.

Efforts to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals have contributed to reducing closure times at some emergency departments. Measures have also been implemented to minimize patient wait times and expedite the turnover of in-patient beds. The government has expanded access to virtual care, mobile primary care clinics, and primary care clinics in pharmacies to ensure that individuals without a family doctor can receive basic care without visiting an emergency department.

Despite these efforts, rural and community emergency departments continue to face challenges. Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg, Roseway Hospital in Shelburne, and Digby General Hospital have all experienced increases in unscheduled closure hours. Patient wait times at emergency departments vary, with some hospitals experiencing significantly longer waits than others. For example, Roseway Hospital reported an average wait time of 13.68 hours in the most recent report.

Tanya Penney, Nova Scotia Health’s senior director of the emergency program of care, highlighted that wait times can be influenced by several factors, including staffing levels, patient flow, and case severity. Efforts to expand the scope of practice for nurses in less severe cases have helped improve efficiency in certain areas.

Overall, while progress has been made in reducing emergency department closures in Nova Scotia, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. By continuing to focus on recruitment, retention, and patient flow strategies, the province can work towards improving access to timely and efficient emergency care for all residents.