Nova Scotia Ombudsman William A. Smith said the year 2020-2021 has been “like no other” for his Office, as it adapted to the new normal of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Healthcare
The Final Report for the Child Death Review undertaken by this Office was issued in 2014 and the implementation of the recommendations have been monitored since that time. While many of the recommendations relate to policy development within the responding departments, there was one recommendation that was issued to all three responding departments.
Two separate individuals contacted this Office expressing concerns for the safety and well being of a senior who was living in the community. According to the individuals, they believed the senior was at-risk and as a result, they submitted complaints or referrals to Adult Protection.
A senior contacted this Office after their home care nursing service was discontinued. They were receiving this service through the health authority and reported that they did not know why they were removed. This Office contacted the continuing care staff within the health authority zone but was unable to resolve the issue.
On June 12, 2019, while in the process of preparing this report, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal delivered a compelling decision concerning a question of jurisdiction and access to records involving this Office.
On June 12, 2019, the authority of the Nova Scotia Ombudsman was reaffirmed by the following court of appeal decision:
The Child Death Review Final Report was issued in July 2014. Since that time, this Office has been updated regularly on the progress made by the respondents to implement the recommendations.