No Changes To Youth Psychiatric Services For Now: NSHA

by Dave DesveauxNovember 30, 2017November 30, 2017

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says there will be no changes for now to emergency child and adolescent psychiatric services in Cape Breton, though it’s suggesting changes could be coming soon.

An internal memo recently suggested youth psychiatric patients under 19 on the island should be sent to the IWK because the Health Authority’s Eastern Zone doesn’t have enough resources to provide adequate care.

The site lead with the psychiatric department suggested making the change tomorrow, but the Health Authority now says that’s not happening.

However, it does suggest possible changes in the near future, saying no changes will take place before the New Year.

It adds that’ll allow more time for planning on how to best provide service.

The Eastern Zone now has only one part-time child and adolescent psychiatrist, and will soon have only six psychiatrists overall.

That compares to 14 psychiatrists three years ago.

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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