Community engagement sessions’ report will help guide future discussions

A summary report of four community engagement sessions held in Shelburne County last November will help guide future discussions between municipal units, recruitment committee, NSHA and other community partners.

“We hope to bring community partners together to discuss next steps before the end of February,” said Fraser Mooney, spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA).

The NSHA, in partnership with the Barrington and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Barrington, and the Town of Lockeport hosted the sessions as part of the community and Engage4Health engagement process that was started last summer under the tagline Our Place, Our Time.

Shifting the discussion about health care to be more constructive was a primary focus of the community conversations, said Mooney. “It was about listening, learning, and looking at ideas to move forward together for a healthier future.”

A summary report of what was discussed in the community engagement sessions has been released. It includes:

• utilize virtual care to provide more care closer to home;

• provide mental health services that fit the need of the community;

• better and different utilization of health care professionals to practice to their full scope;

• and expand recruitment focus to include those wanting to practice part time are among the ideas offered in the report for moving forward on health services.

"We need to look at health care delivery differently," a resident is quoted as saying in the report.

Access to sidewalks throughout the county to support active transportation; and transportation assistance when virtual care is not available were suggestions put forth for improving transportation needs.

"Our municipal units need to commit to working together as a united front," states the report.

Ideas for community-led change included sharing the great stories that are already happening and partnering with businesses to assist with things such as recruitment and retention and opportunities for people to promote their community to newcomers.

The report concludes with four questions on what needs to be done now.

• How do we improve communication and community networks in Shelburne County?

• How can we work together to address negativity in Shelburne County?

• What can we do to unite efforts within Shelburne County?

• How do we mobilize community so people feel more ownership over issues facing Shelburne County?

For more information visit: www.OurPlaceOurTime.ca