District health authorities are already required to hold public forums. The new legislation requires consultation during these forums on emergency department closures and consideration of proposed community solutions.
Districts must report to the minister about the results as well as on potential closures.
Health Minister Maureen MacDonald said the legislation puts the right information in the right hands and ensures that district health authorities and communities are involved in the process.
"That accountability is an important step in keeping emergency rooms open in our province," MacDonald said.
"Chronic closure of emergency departments is a long-standing problem in Nova Scotia. This is a complex issue that will take time to address," she said. "This legislation enables government, district health authorities and communities to work through practical solutions together.”
The legislation requires the minister of health to table an annual report detailing dates and reasons for emergency room closures for that year.
Emergency department accountability legislation introduced
New legislation introduced Wednesday will provide public accountability to communities experiencing emergency department closures and will require the health minister to report annually on closures to the House of Assembly.
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