Legislation Input
Doctors Nova Scotia works with government and other organizations to help create and keep a safe and healthy province. To
that end, the association often provides input on proposed laws that may affect patient care or the health and safety of Nova
Scotians.
The process of acquiring endorsement or feedback is as follows:
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The organization sends the draft legislation, along with a request for the type of feedback it is looking to acquire from Doctors Nova Scotia.
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Input is requested from two groups:
- members who are considered experts in the area most impacted by the legislation; and
- the Doctors Nova Scotia Board of Directors.
- Doctors Nova Scotia’s position is a compilation of feedback from both groups. The final statement is approved by the Board of Directors.
Mandatory reporting of gun shot wounds
The Gun Shot Wounds
Mandatory Reporting Act says every hospital, health facility or service that treats a person for a gun shot wound
must tell police:
- that a person is being treated or has been treated for a gun shot wound;
- the person’s name, if known; and
- the name or location of the hospital, facility or service.
Doctors Nova Scotia support mandatory reporting for gunshot wounds as early reporting may prevent further acts of violence.
Hand-held cell phone use while driving ban
Bill 7, an
amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, says it’s against the law to use a hand-held cell phone while driving.
Doctors Nova Scotia supports this law. In fact, the association suggested the legislation go a step farther and also ban the
use of hands-free cell phones since drivers using a hand-held or hands-free phone have the same slowed reactions.
Respiratory Therapists Act
Doctors Nova Scotia reviewed a draft Respiratory Therapists
Act in September 2006.
The association supported the legislation in its final version. The act sets out rules and standards for the practice of
respiratory therapy. It also sets up a process for filing complaints and a disciplinary process to make sure concerns from
the public are dealt with.
Health Facilities Licensing Act
Doctors Nova Scotia is working with government to ensure the Health Facilities
Licensing Act, if passed, allows for the best possible care to patients.
The act, proposed in November 2006, would allow some health-care services traditionally provided in hospitals to be performed
in a community setting. The legislation outlines rules and standards to ensure the community facilities are safe and top
quality care will be provided to patients.
Overall, Doctors Nova Scotia is supportive of some services being provided in a community setting. In fact, moving some
services to locations closer to patients may free-up operating rooms, specialized equipment and health-care providers’ time
in the hospital to care for more critically ill patients.
Midwifery Act
The Midwifery
Act was introduced on Nov. 15, 2006 to incorporate midwives into the health-care system.
Doctors Nova Scotia is open to the idea of introducing a properly established midwifery service and expects midwives to work
closely with other health-care providers, including physicians. Midwives must be properly trained, certified and regulated to
ensure patients receive quality care that meets standards.
The issue of home births remains a topic of discussion, especially regarding safety. Doctors Nova Scotia maintains the safest
place to deliver a baby is in a health-care facility. These issues will be decided within the regulations which Doctors Nova
Scotia is helping to develop.
Changes to Tobacco Control Act
Changes to the Tobacco
Control Act were introduced in the legislature on Oct. 31, 2006.
The changes ban signs and materials promoting or advertising the sale of tobacco products; ban the “power wall” display of
tobacco and tobacco products, requiring them to be stored in closed cupboards; don’t allow stores that display tobacco and
tobacco products to allow people under 19 to enter; and ban the sale of tobacco or tobacco products in certain stores.
On Nov. 7, 2006 Doctors Nova Scotia then-President Dr. Rhonda Church spoke in support of the amendments at the Law Amendments
Committee, along with Smoke-Free Nova Scotia, the Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society and Tobacco Free Lunenburg
Queens.
Off-Highway Vehicles Act
The province tightened rules around driving off-highway vehicles or all-terrain vehicles in November 2005.
Doctors Nova Scotia supported the changes to the Off-Highway Vehicles
Act, but was disappointed it only restricts users under 14. The doctors of the province believe only people over
the age of 16 should be fully licensed to operate ATVs. Youth under this age lack the judgment, motor or cognitive skills,
strength or experience to safely operate these machines. Training courses, parental supervision and smaller engine sizes
aren’t enough to protect Nova Scotia youth and reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths caused by ATV-related
incidents.
Dr. Romesh Shukla, then-President of Doctors Nova Scotia, spoke in support of limiting ATV licensing to people over 16 to the Law Amendments Committee on Nov. 24, 2005.