3 things to know this week

NEW MEDICAL IMAGING, RADIATION THERAPY ACT

A new Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals Act and its regulations are now in effect across Nova Scotia.

The act also creates the new Nova Scotia College of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals, which replaces the Nova Scotia Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.

Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey said covering more medical imaging professionals under the act and the new college will create more accountability and provide added protection for patients.

Nova Scotia is the second jurisdiction in Canada to fully recognize and regulate diagnostic medical sonography as a distinct discipline.

STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH LESS DEBT

Post-secondary students across Nova Scotia are graduating with less debt thanks to a provincial loan forgiveness program.

As part of the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program, the provincial government has forgiven about $8 million in Nova Scotia student loans for more than 1,000 Nova Scotia students who graduated from universities this year.

Loan forgiveness now covers certificate and diploma programs at universities and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). As of Aug. 1, eligible borrowers who study at the NSCC can also have all Nova Scotia student loan debt eliminated.

NEW VALLEY HOSPICE OPENS

There's a new option for end-of-life care in the Annapolis Valley.

A multimillion-dollar, 10-bedroom hospice facility built with funds collected by the community-led Valley Hospice Foundation is ready for occupancy. Premier Stephen McNeil joined local dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14.

The hospice was made possible by the unwavering commitment of community members dedicated to seeing the project that began in the early 1990s through to fruition. The provincial government gave the official OK for the project to move ahead in 2016.