Save Our Nurse

2010 in review

Andy Moir — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 12:02:01 +0000

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 7,000 times in 2010. That’s about 17 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 9 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 148 posts.

The busiest day of the year was January 19th with 243 views. The most popular post that day was Shame on our shameful language!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, en.wordpress.com, tips-tools-tutorials.com, mail.live.com, and google.ca.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for save our nurse, saveournurse.ca, save our nurse practitioner, saveournurse, and karen snider nurse.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Shame on our shameful language! January 2010
8 comments

About October 2009
6 comments

Three months since Karen was sacked January 2010
11 comments

Blog news January 2010
11 comments

From the Chronicle Herald today January 2010
5 comments

Digby ER closure to be discussed

Andy Moir — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:27:36 +0000

South West Health is hosting a public meeting in Digby next Thursday to talk about its commitment to keep emergency departments open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For several years, emergency departments at Digby and Roseway hospitals have been experiencing frequent temporary closures due to physician shortages. The Nova Scotia government requires District Health Authorities to consult with communities affected by such emergency department closures. Public consultation will be held March 4 at 5 p.m. in the Community Theatre at Digby Regional High School. An advertisement for the session is included in this week’s issue of The Digby Courier of page 5. The meeting will begin with a short presentation with information on the continuing temporary ER closures, what is being done to recruit physicians and how South West Health is working with the community on these issues. “Then we will open up the conversation and allow people to stand up and tell us their ideas and solutions for minimizing temporary closures and keeping the Digby General Hospital open 24/7,” explains health authority spokesperson Fraser Mooney. All input will be recorded and sent directly to the province’s minister of health. Existing legislation requires the minister to then table a report in the Legislature. The information will also be posted on the South West Health website. People who are unable to attend the meeting can also send heir thoughts to Blaise MacNeil, CEO, South West Health, 60 Vancouver St., Yarmouth, B5A 2P5. Input can also be sent by fax to (902) 742-0369. Or emailed to info@swndha.nshealth.ca

ER threatened in Annapolis

Andy Moir — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:14:39 +0000

From today’s Chronicle Herald

Annapolis ER closure feared
Woman: Health authority to hold public meetings to discuss shutdown
By GORDON DELANEY and JOHN McPHEE Staff Reporters
Wed. Feb 3 – 4:53 AM

Some Annapolis County residents are expressing concerns over the possible closure of the emergency room at the Annapolis Community Health Centre in Annapolis Royal.

“Health care is threatened in Annapolis Royal,” Sharon Cranton of Bridgetown wrote Tuesday in an email to The Chronicle Herald.

“The regional health authority is considering closing the emergency room services at the centre.”"

She said the Annapolis Valley district health authority is planning public meetings in Bridgetown and Annapolis Royal for Feb. 11 and 15 to discuss the possible closure.

“This means there could be no reliable emergency room service between Middleton and Yarmouth.”

Ms. Cranton said the NDP campaigned on a promise not to close rural emergency rooms.

“In fact, keeping emergency rooms open ranks as No. 2 in Darrell Dexter’s Plan For Today’s Families,” she wrote.

“The provincial Department of Health and the regional health authority need to know how much we value our local health centre.

“The fallout from reduced access to emergency room services will severely impact the health of our citizens and the well-being of our community.”

Ms. Cranton is urging citizens to write to the minister of health to express their concerns.

“In our area, there are a lot of elderly people,” she said in an interview. “They depend on the emergency room . . . if there something is wrong with them.

“I think the public have a right to know what’s going on.”

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald told reporters Tuesday she plans to meet with people in Annapolis Royal to discuss the issue.

“At this stage, there is certainly no plan to close emergency services.”

Ms. MacDonald said there has been a meeting with physicians in the area to better understand the situation and find possible solutions.

“We will continue to work through that process of understanding what the problems are and meeting with the local officials,” she said.

“Our priority is to ensure that people have high-quality emergency services in a timely fashion.”

A health authority spokeswoman was not available for comment by news deadline Tuesday.

Annapolis emergency room threatened?

Andy Moir — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:38:36 +0000

This note was just posted on Facebook by Jon Gray of Annapolis Royal. Obviously closing the emergency room in Annapolis Royal could have a major impact on the health care of people in the Digby area as well.

Andy

Health care is threatened in Annapolis Royal. The regional health authority is considering closing the emergency room services at the Annapolis Community Health Centre. This means there could be no reliable emergency room service between Middleton and Yarmouth.

The issue is so important that the NDP campaigned on a promise not to close rural emergency rooms. In fact, keeping emergency rooms open ranks as number two in Darrell Dexter’s “Plan For Today’s Families.”

The provincial department of health and the regional health authority need to know how much we value our local health centre.

The fallout from reduced access to emergency room services will severely impact the health of our citizens and the well being of our community.

It’s time to write to our Minister of Health and the ceo of Annapolis Valley Health.

Pass this message on to anyone you know who might be affected by this.

Guest Article on nurse practitioners

Andy Moir — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:30:29 +0000

I’ve had some correspondence with the woman who wrote the article below. She came across our blog, and asked if she could make a submission. She manages a website called Online Nurse Practitioner Schools.

Andy

Being a Nurse Practitioner on an Island

A nurse is sometimes more important than a doctor, because while a doctor is able to diagnose the patient and prescribe medication, it is the nurse who provides the personalized care that is so important to hastening the recovery of anyone who is ill. Nurse practitioners are extra special because they are almost like doctors in some situations. The only difference is that they are licensed by the nursing board rather than the medical board. Their responsibilities and authority vary from state to state and province to province, and they are sometimes required to practice under the supervision of a physician and given a free hand at other locations.

When it comes to islands that are sparsely populated and relatively remote, nurse practitioners are a godsend in terms of providing healthcare to the local people. They are also at an advantage because:

Not many doctors are willing to relocate to remote islands, and this means that nurse practitioners have various job opportunities open to them.
They gain in experience because of the responsibility and autonomy accorded to them.
They get to live in a beautiful environment, far from the madding crowd and the pollution that accompanies it.
Their job is pretty relaxed, unlike at a hospital environment where there is too much work and too much stress.
They don’t burn out because their job is more focused on personalized care rather than routine procedures that involves multi-tasking and tension.
They make a difference in the lives of the locals because they are also involved in educating them about basic healthcare and hygiene.
They work with the locals to increase their awareness of preventive medication.
They are able to specialize in a field of medicine that is interesting to them or which holds scope on the islands.
Most nurse practitioners double as midwives too, assisting women in the birthing process and in planning their families.
They refer people to the mainland for further treatment if they feel that it cannot be provided on the island.

In general, nurse practitioners are most useful in remote areas that are not usually served by doctors. It is the ideal profession for you if you’re interested in medicine but not willing to spend all that money and time on med school. It’s also good for people who prefer to practice medicine without being supervised, who like to learn new things, face new challenges, and work at a relaxed and even pace in a pleasant environment.

This article is written by Teresa Jackson, she writes on the subject of OnlineNursePractitionerSchools Email her at teresa.jackson19@gmail.com.

Letter in Chronicle Herald Saturday Jan 23rd

Andy Moir — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:41:59 +0000

Sorry I didn’t get this posted earlier…Andy

Bring Snider back

Will the health minister please explain why she is wasting taxpayers’ money on interim and sporadic health care for the people of Digby Neck and Islands?

There is an excellent nurse practitioner in the person of Karen Snider ready to resume her full-time duties on Long Island. She is well-respected and trusted by the people. She served a year and proved herself dedicated and more than competent. Yet she was let go for reasons that remain confidential, according to her employer, the South West District health authority.

Now, while SWDHA searches vainly for a replacement for this remote area, taxpayers are incurring travelling and ferry fees for other nurses and doctors to drive down Digby Neck to Freeport. These are doctors and nurses taken from their positions in other parts of the province, plus money, time, fuel, and carbon emissions. The drive from Digby to Freeport, including the ferry, is an hour if you hit the ferry at the right time.

What a wasteful, inefficient system! Karen has a newly built house in Freeport — part of a commitment she made to spend the rest of her career there. No other nurse has come close to that.

Since October, the people have been writing letters pleading with Health Minister Maureen MacDonald to resolve the differences between Karen and SWDHA and reinstate her. They have repeatedly asked her to meet with them and to talk to Karen. They have presented proposals of alternative employment arrangements, all to no avail. The minister has left 1,500 taxpaying citizens without adequate health care in favour of a few bureaucrats. What is going on?

I once had hope for the NDP. I thought they were for the people. My hope is gone.

Sharon G. Palermo, Halifax

Blog news

Andy Moir — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:22:48 +0000

Hi folks. I’m going to be away for awhile. My mother is going to have experimental heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic. I will check in when possible to see if there are any new items to be posted.

Andy

Shame on our shameful language!

Andy Moir — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:41:44 +0000

Dave and Judy Teed received the following email from the department of health. Heather Prime received one too. I guess our passionate language offended the urban sensibilities of some of our government bureaucrats and censors. So in future, don’t say bullshit in your letters…even if that’s what you’re describing. Andy (Dave and Judy’s original highly offensive letter is reprinted below)

From: Jennifer Dell

Date: 18/01/2010 12:27:08 PM

Subject: Fwd: Re: Nurse Practitioner Petition M2322

January 18, 2010

Dave and Judy Teed

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Teed:

I am in receipt of your e-mail dated December 10, 2009, sent to the

Honourable Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health, regarding the Nurse

Practitioner position in the Digby Neck area.

I would like to note that this specific piece of correspondence sent to

the Minister will not be answered, as it contains offensive language.

As of 2008, the Government of Nova Scotia has followed the Respectful

Workplace Policy to encourage a healthy, safe and supportive work

environment for government employees. The policy states: “Whether the

source of the offensive behaviour comes from within government or

outside, any allegation of offensive behaviour is serious and should be

taken seriously. Managers have an obligation to take appropriate action

to protect their employees and others in the workplace and to put a stop

to any offensive behaviour they are aware of…”.

Therefore it was my responsibility, as the Correspondence Coordinator

of the Department of Health, to ensure that the offensive language used

in your correspondence sent to the Minister of Health, not be shared

with others who work in government.

I regret not writing to you sooner to communicate this decision, and I

trust that this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Dell

Correspondence Coordinator

Nova Scotia Department of Health

>>> Health Minister 1/18/2010 12:16 PM >>>

>>> “Dave & Judy Teed” 12/10/2009 10:27 AM >>>

Hello Madame MacDonald,

I’m writing this response to the articles posted in the Digby Courier

of Dec 10, 2009. I must say I’m ashamed as the Minister of Health you would

craft such articles leaving out key information. You forgot, conveniently

I’m sure to mention the apology letter your own people crafted (Blaise MacNeil)

to derail the negotiations between the DHA & Ms. Snider. Your outpouring

of concern is so touching at this time of year (B/S). You are so busy

trying to CYA you’ve totally lost any semblance of “concern”

Have you shown the apology letter to mr. (not a typo) Dexter? You folks

are mounting such a campaign to cover up the situation it’s pathetic.

It’s everyone’s fault but yours and I wonder what job you’re after. With

the recent announcement of a permanent Deputy Minister of Health (I’m

happy for him but doubt he’ll be allowed to make any tough decisions) I’m

wondering who is going to get promoted next. Is Blaise in line for any

promotions?

You paint a pretty picture of yourself in the paper but trust me it’s

not so pretty when you see what you and your folks have done. Make no mistake

it’s at your feet not ours and folks are starting to see it. In terms of

discipline, we discipline our children to correct unacceptable behavior

and to make them stronger. We even suggest they apologize to their friends

when they’ve hurt someone; this doesn’t mean as a parent we love them

any less.

You’ve done your children at the SWDHA a grave injustice to say the

least.

Have you given mr Dexter the blog address so he can read what a mess

you’ve created? Perhaps we could prepare a book for him to read over the

holiday or while he’s on a plane rather than being in his office correcting the

mess you’ve made by your inaction. Does he really know what a negative

impact you’ve made on his career as premier and his career is just starting?

As of yesterday, we had 29, 603 hits to our blog. This will translate into

many “no votes” for your party. Its good to see the Digby & Shelburne

area residents starting to take action and speaking out on the blog.

I like the suggestion of Digby & Annapolis being under their own DHA

and let Yarmouth do their own thing, which they’re already doing anyways.

In conclusion, you can send this response to your children at the SWDHA

in Yarmouth and perhaps you can publish the corrected version of your

letter in next weeks Digby Courier, it’s on the blog, check it out.

Dave & Judy Teed

PS: We appreciate Dr. Buchholz being here in Freeport as he is a

respected doctor but it’s a shame you have to “use him” in such a way to

further your political GAMES. SHAME! SHAME!

From the Chronicle Herald today

Andy Moir — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:28:19 +0000

Medical personnel filling in at Digby Neck health centre

Starting Monday through to the end of February, the Islands Health Centre will be open 27 of a possible 30 days, says SouthWest Heath.

On more than half of those days, a doctor will be in the clinic working with a nurse practitioner and each will see patients, stated a news release.

SouthWest Health continues to “vigorously pursue a permanent solution” to the lack of a full-time nurse practitioner for the clinic, located on Long Island at the tip of Digby Neck.

Nurse practitioner Karen Snider was fired by the district health authority in October. Many residents said she was let go after she wrote an article in a local newsletter, suggesting the need for a full-time office clerk in a health clinic on the island.

Residents were told at a public meeting an apology would have to be signed by Ms. Snider before further talks could take place to rehire the well-liked nurse.

The health authority said earlier that care provided by the nurse practitioner was never an issue.

Beginning next week, a temporary nurse practitioner and a doctor will see patients every Thursday and Friday, the release said.

Three months since Karen was sacked

Andy Moir — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:50:08 +0000

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald told us it would be a priority of her department, and the District Health Authority, to get us a new nurse practitioner. Three months have gone by since they fired Karen Snider, the nurse practitioner we all fought so hard to keep. Obviously the DHA and the Minister of Health had no idea what they were talking about when they said they would replace Karen. It’s tough to find someone with Karen’s skills and dedication. So Maureen MacDonald has left us with no health care most of the time. Yesterday, when we did have health care, all the patients who needed treatment didn’t get it.

There is a very simple solution to this problem. Get Karen Snider back in the clinic. Allow the community to set up its own health care structure, and the let the community run the clinic. The DHA may have had problems dealing with Karen as an employee. We feel the community would do a better job managing our own health care, with Karen as our nurse practitioner.

So, it’s time to start writing to the Minister of Health…reminding her that she has failed us, and so has the DHA. Tell her that we have the skills to run our own clinic…and come up with a solution that doesn’t leave us high and dry for health care.

Maureen MacDonald’s email is health.minister@gov.ns.ca

Andy