Nova Scotia Health improving access to psychiatric care through doctor referrals
Nova Scotia Health is improving access to psychiatric assessments for patients referred by their primary care doctors.
The Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) is optimizing the pathway for rapid psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, said a news release.
'Over the last two years we have seen the difference quicker access to psychiatry has made in people's lives,' said Dr. Vincent Agyapong. 'Rolling out this pathway across the province will help many more Nova Scotians get the care they need, sooner.'
The rapid access pathway will roll out in stages starting at clinics in the eastern zone this summer before moving to northern and western zones, said the release. Psychiatric consultation will continue in mental health clinics across the province.
'The Eastern Zone is well positioned to offer this enhanced pathway as it builds on the successful recruitment of new psychiatrists over the last several years which has allowed us to focus on access to psychiatry consultations in a timely way for those who need it,' said Dr. Faisal Rahman, head of psychiatry for the eastern zone.
The province said the changes build on the success of the Rapid Access Stabilization Program (RASP) that was launched in the central zone two years ago. Since the launch of RASP, 2,215 patients have been seen in the zone, said the release.
'Timely access to the right level of support can be lifechanging for Nova Scotians navigating mental health issues,' said Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health.
Referred patients will be matched to psychiatric services through the Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake Service for an outpatient consultation, said the release.
'The enhancement of adult community mental health teams to facilitate rapid and efficient access to the right clinician supports the patient's recovery,' said Dr. Andrew Harris, senior medical director with MHAP.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Wanted convicted sex offender with connections to Parry Sound arrested in Toronto
Darren Wheatley, 55, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant as of May 30, 2025, for allegedly breaching his long-term supervision order. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police) Update: Ontario Provincial Police advised in a news release Sunday evening that the wanted federal offender Darren Wheatley, 55, was apprehended in Toronto. Authorities said that the repeat offender with ties to Parry Sound who had been unlawfully at large since Thursday was located and arrested by the Toronto Police Service on Sunday. 'The Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in this investigation,' police said. Original story: Police are searching for a wanted federal offender currently serving time for convictions of sexual assault and choking with ties to Parry Sound and the GTA. Darren Wheatley, 55, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for allegedly breaching his long-term supervision order, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Friday. Wheatley is 'known to frequent Toronto's downtown core and Parry Sound,' according to a social media post by police. '(He) was last seen in Quebec,' said OPP Detective Sgt. Morley McGuire in an email to CTV News on Saturday. He is currently serving a 10-year, one-month and 29-day sentence for two counts each of sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm and choking. Police are asking for the public's help in locating him. Darren Wheatley - Wanted Darren Wheatley, 55, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant as of May 30, 2025, for allegedly breaching his long-term supervision order. (Ontario Provincial Police/X) He is an Indigenous man described as 6 feet or 183cm, 220 pounds or 100kg with black hair and brown eyes. 'Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad … at 1-866-870-7673 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or call 911,' OPP said.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
‘The Apprentice,' ‘Canada's Drag Race' among big winners at Canadian Screen Awards
A film chronicling the rise of Donald Trump won best motion picture at the Canadian Screen Awards on Sunday, where its Toronto-born producer used his acceptance speech to address the U.S. president's threats to Canadian sovereignty. Daniel Bekerman is the lead producer of 'The Apprentice,' a Canada-Ireland-Denmark co-production that portrays how Trump got started in the real-estate industry and honed his persona under the mentorship of controversial fixer Roy Cohn.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Investigation underway after 1 man found dead in downtown Calgary
The CPS homicide unit is investigating after it's believed a man fell to his death from a high-rise balcony. Teri Fikowski reports. An investigation is underway after a man was found dead early Sunday morning in downtown Calgary. Calgary police responded to the 1100 block of 3 Street S.E. just after 5 a.m., after receiving reports that a man may have fallen from a high-rise balcony. Police discovered a man nearby in medical distress, who was then transported to hospital in life-threatening condition, where he died from his injuries. Police cordoned off the area on 12 Avenue S.E. between MacLeod Trail and 3 Street, and 3 Street north of 12 Avenue S.E., as they investigated for roughly ten hours. Fire crews also brought in an aeriel truck to help investigators collect evidence from a ledge. Carol Roberts and her husband own the car that was crushed. They were attending a conference in Calgary and were shocked to learn while heading down to load up their vehicle to drive back to Edmonton what had happened. 'It's a little surreal. I'm digesting it but we'll figure out a way home,' she said. Roberts said while they are hopeful insurance will cover the costs, she's more concerned about the man's loved ones. 'We were here for an amazing event and didn't expect it to end that way but I guess in reality this is the things that happen. i just hope and pray for the family.' CTV spoke to the man's aunt who said he was a 22-year-old man originally from the Siksika Nation and a talented hockey player. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Shocked People coming out of The Guardian condo building were shocked with the discovery of a decimated car with its roof caved in and glass shattered across the street. 'It's a scene from a movie,' said Keto Allen, who came out to walk his dog. 'From first glance it does look like someone fell or jumped but somebody landed on that vehicle from pretty high up, that's what it seems like.' Allen said there are around 40 floors in the building. 'It looks like a boulder fell out of the [expletive] sky,' said Brian Bura. 'It's crazy damage.' A group of women staying in an AirBnB in the building said they heard partying and woke up to sirens. 'It gives me goosebumps,' said Leanne Nicholson, 'I could hear a party and the music was really loud, like thump thump thump thump. I did hear, I thought I heard, yelling at one point but I was in a fog but I heard the sirens.' Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app. Anyone was affected by witnessing these events is encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Support Team (BAST) by calling 403-428-8398 or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828. VAST is a free service offered to victims of crime and tragedy. For more information, go here.
