New Democrats Release Internal Memo On Psychiatric Care

by Dave DesveauxNovember 15, 2017

The provincial NDP has obtained an internal memo from the lead psychiatrists in Cape Breton about what are being called concerning details on the state of psychiatric care on the island.

In the memo, the site lead for psychiatry says, while local health professionals have asked for help from Halifax multiple times, no help has been given.

It also says they were forced to wait to send information to doctors until the provincial public relations team signed off on a letter.

The NDP Caucus says Cape Breton should have 16 psychiatrists, but now has only 7 full time and 1 part time.

They add there’s only one part-time child and adolescent psychiatrist to serve the entire region, that services more than 20,000 children.

NDP Leader Gary Burrill blames the situation on the decision to amalgamate the former Regional Health Authorities.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has yet to comment on the memo.

Dave Desveaux

Dave Desveaux, a native of New Waterford leverages his experience and passion for research in The Coast 89.7 Newsroom where as the Weekday Newscaster. His foray into radio began with a research position at The Coast, which led to the production of a radio documentary on the music of the Mi’kmaq people. The program, entitled “First Nations, First Music” was co-produced with fellow Coast personality Ron Neville and released in early 2011. A graduate of Breton Education Centre, Dave went on to get a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Cape Breton University, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from Dalhousie University. He has worked as a teaching assistant at Dalhousie, and in various short-term customer service and research positions.

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