Online voting opens for N.S. Healthcare Improvement Challenge

HALIFAX, N.S. — The government of Nova Scotia received more than 2,200 responses when it asked health-care workers and people in jobs linked to the sector for low-cost and easy-to-implement ideas to improve the system.

Now it’s up to you — the patients and users — to decide which ones should be implemented.

Voting for the Healthcare Improvement Challenge opened online on Dec. 20 and allows visitors to select up to three ideas from a shortlist of 20.

After voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, the government will consider the Top 10 as priorities and work with health system partners to implement them where feasible.

However, the government release also noted that “even those that do not make the top 10 will be considered if they have potential.”

The province says ideas were reviewed for cost and operational implications, the ability to implement them province-wide, and the impact on patient care and experience, or facility and workflow.

“The number of ideas received shows there are many common-sense, low cost and easy-to-implement improvements that will make a difference in the lives of patients, families and those working in healthcare,” stated Premier Tim Houston.

When introduced in October, the challenge offered a chance for workers who submitted an eligible idea to win one of 50 random prize draws of $1,000.