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UPDATE (May 2023):
Between October 2022 and February 2023, DHW gathered input and advice from hundreds of Nova Scotians through a wide-ranging engagement process. We heard from many communities of people through:
hosting 58 group conversations with community organizations, non-profits, health professional regulators and unions, Community Health Boards, and people working within the health system;
over 1,100 responses to online public surveys in English and French;
displays in over 80 public libraries across the province where folks could contribute their say.
Results from the project's initial engagement period have been gathered and reviewed. Core themes from what we heard have been identified and have been turned into a set of emerging action priorities that will drive our approach towards equity in Nova Scotia's health system.
We are now coming back to community to share these findings and actions. This information can be found below in the next section.
After reviewing the core themes and priority actions, we ask that you provide any thoughts and perspectives through a short survey near the bottom of this page.
Results from Initial Engagement
What we heard: Core Themes
Action Area
Theme
HHR/Health Workforce
Lack of representation of equity and Indigenous groups
Unsafe health system workplaces
Insufficient training for health providers and administrators
Patient Experience
Inappropriate and disrespectful communication
Unsafe spaces for patients
Lack of complaint processes and accountability for results
Unfair treatment and access to care
Health Policy and Programs
Lack of community input into service planning and delivery
Foundational/structural concerns
Impact of living in a rural area
Emerging Action Priorities
Action Area
Priority Actions
HHR/Workforce
Increase representation of equity groups at all levels, but especially leadership
Improve the safety level of health system workplaces for equity workforce
Require robust, substantive Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and
Accessibility(EDIRA) related training for health professionals
Improve the process for assessment and recognition of international health professional training and experience
Patient Experience
Improve the level of trauma-informed care, cultural awareness/humility, and person-centred care in health service delivery
Establish and resource effective systems to address patient complaints regarding discrimination
Identify and address specific challenges to accessing services that are amplified for equity groups (E.g., gender-affirming care in rural areas)
Health Policies and Programs
Public acknowledgement from health system leadership that the system is inequitable and that there is an accountable commitment to change
Increase the inclusion and influence equity groups have on health service planning and delivery
Consistently apply an EDIRA lens for health system planning, service delivery, and internal processes
Community/Population Health
Continue to improve visibility on the health status of equity groups through health surveillance systems (e.g., Fair Care project)
Work with partners to influence action on the social and structural determinants of health that impact health system accessibility
The short survey below asks a few key questions to check whether we heard Nova Scotians correctly and whether the emerging actions taken from your input will move us in the right direction.
Did we get it right? Did we miss the mark? Your opinion matters, so please let us know below.
Between October 2022 and February 2023, DHW gathered input and advice from hundreds of Nova Scotians through a wide-ranging engagement process. We heard from many communities of people through:
hosting 58 group conversations with community organizations, non-profits, health professional regulators and unions, Community Health Boards, and people working within the health system;
over 1,100 responses to online public surveys in English and French;
displays in over 80 public libraries across the province where folks could contribute their say.
Results from the project's initial engagement period have been gathered and reviewed. Core themes from what we heard have been identified and have been turned into a set of emerging action priorities that will drive our approach towards equity in Nova Scotia's health system.
We are now coming back to community to share these findings and actions. This information can be found below in the next section.
After reviewing the core themes and priority actions, we ask that you provide any thoughts and perspectives through a short survey near the bottom of this page.
Results from Initial Engagement
What we heard: Core Themes
Action Area
Theme
HHR/Health Workforce
Lack of representation of equity and Indigenous groups
Unsafe health system workplaces
Insufficient training for health providers and administrators
Patient Experience
Inappropriate and disrespectful communication
Unsafe spaces for patients
Lack of complaint processes and accountability for results
Unfair treatment and access to care
Health Policy and Programs
Lack of community input into service planning and delivery
Foundational/structural concerns
Impact of living in a rural area
Emerging Action Priorities
Action Area
Priority Actions
HHR/Workforce
Increase representation of equity groups at all levels, but especially leadership
Improve the safety level of health system workplaces for equity workforce
Require robust, substantive Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and
Accessibility(EDIRA) related training for health professionals
Improve the process for assessment and recognition of international health professional training and experience
Patient Experience
Improve the level of trauma-informed care, cultural awareness/humility, and person-centred care in health service delivery
Establish and resource effective systems to address patient complaints regarding discrimination
Identify and address specific challenges to accessing services that are amplified for equity groups (E.g., gender-affirming care in rural areas)
Health Policies and Programs
Public acknowledgement from health system leadership that the system is inequitable and that there is an accountable commitment to change
Increase the inclusion and influence equity groups have on health service planning and delivery
Consistently apply an EDIRA lens for health system planning, service delivery, and internal processes
Community/Population Health
Continue to improve visibility on the health status of equity groups through health surveillance systems (e.g., Fair Care project)
Work with partners to influence action on the social and structural determinants of health that impact health system accessibility
The short survey below asks a few key questions to check whether we heard Nova Scotians correctly and whether the emerging actions taken from your input will move us in the right direction.
Did we get it right? Did we miss the mark? Your opinion matters, so please let us know below.
We have chosen to use identity-first language. That means that we refer to people by their disability first. For example, we say “disabled people” or “disabled Nova Scotians.” We made this decision after consulting with the Accessibility Directorate. We understand that choosing either identity-first language or person-first language is a personal choice. We encourage you to identify yourself the way you prefer.
