Latest news with #MichelleThompson
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
N.S. health minister admits ‘growing pains' with new free parking policy at hospitals
HALIFAX - The health authority in Nova Scotia says it is seeking the power to issue $500 tickets to unauthorized vehicles that take advantage of free parking at hospitals. Nova Scotia Health emailed Halifax-area hospital staff today to say it is working to preserve spaces for patients, visitors, and authorized staff. The message comes a day after Health Minister Michelle Thompson acknowledged 'growing pains' as hospitals adjust to the province's new free parking policy that took effect May 1. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The health authority says that until it can ticket drivers it will issue warnings to unauthorized vehicles, and offer 175 additional free on-site parking spaces to staff at the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General Hospital. Unions at both hospitals and the IWK Health Centre have voiced concern about a lack of spots when employees show up for work. The health authority says the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General hospital together need almost 4,000 more parking spaces than are currently available to meet peak demand. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Health minister not concerned about delays to electronic medical records launch
Social Sharing Health Minister Michelle Thompson says she doesn't love that there are more delays with the launch of Nova Scotia's new electronic medical records system, but she says it's important to get things right. Officials with Nova Scotia Health recently announced the $365-million system will now begin rolling out at the IWK Health Centre in December, as opposed to this summer. Rollouts at subsequent health-care sites would follow. Thompson told reporters on Thursday that the delay is only with the start date, and that the development of the clinical information system, also known as One Person One Record, remains on track. "It's going to be a very important tool for us and it's going to make a big difference and, you know, we only get one shot to do it first and I want it to be as smooth as possible and this is the path," she said. After the system launches, the work done to prepare will be applicable for the other rollout stages and so the minister said people should not be worried about further delays beyond that. What the program will do When it launches, the system will allow health-care professionals anywhere in the province to see what's happening in real time with a patient who's entered the acute-care system. The program, which is being designed by Oracle Cerner Canada, a division of U.S.-based tech giant Oracle Corp., will replace dozens of systems health-care professionals use now to view patient records, many of which are unable to communicate with one another. It's also important to ensure there's capacity in place to support the people using the system, said the minister. She recalled touring a hospital in Vancouver where a similar system had been recently introduced at the site's intensive care unit. "I thought it would be pandemonium when I went in there, to be honest, and it was so calm, people were so happy because of the preparatory work that was done," she said. Despite the delays, Thompson said there would be no change in the cost of the system. Opposition reaction New Democrat MLA Susan Leblanc said it's been a long wait for the system to be ready and it's disappointing there are further delays. Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette said a lot of money is going into the initiative and he's taking a wait-and-see approach on things.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Halifax hospitals short nearly 4,000 parking spots to meet peak demand
Social Sharing New numbers from Nova Scotia Health reveal that it needs nearly 4,000 more parking spaces than currently exist to handle the demand at the biggest health-care facilities in Halifax. For months, a lack of parking has been a major point of contention at the Halifax Infirmary, Victoria General and IWK Health Centre. Those frustrations grew after the government lifted parking fees across the province, leading to more visitors at hospital lots and pushing staff off site. Health Minister Michelle Thompson addressed the controversy Thursday, saying that hospitals are going through "growing pains" as they adjust to the new free parking program. "I think people can expect to see tweaks to the program. We want people to be happy. This is a good news story. We'll get there. There are bumps," Thompson said as reporters pressed her on staff concerns. Staff have refused to speak publicly, fearing repercussions at work, but they've been venting their frustrations to their unions, opposition leaders and CBC News. They're not allowed to park in the main lots during peak hours, and are told to either use off-site lots or alternatives to get to work as a way to provide more spaces to patients and their visitors. If they park at the hospitals, they're charged $6 an hour, or about $72 for their 12-hour shifts. Available spots are limited New numbers obtained by CBC News show just how competitive it is to find a spot. Nova Scotia Health said it has 2,365 parking spots at the Victoria General, Halifax Infirmary and off-site lots. It estimates at peak times, it needs 6,220 spots for the staff, volunteers and patients who drive to the facilities. That leaves 3,855 people trying to find other places to park in the city's downtown, which is already busy. Those numbers don't include the needs of the nearby IWK Health Centre, and were calculated before parking became free and demand increased. "What we need to do is strike a balance between allocation for patients and allocation for staff and make sure that we have the right mix," said Thompson. "There will be more things to understand as we move forward." She said for now, they need to take a close look at the logistics of the lots and see what the actual need is. "There's certainly been a spotlight on it," she said. "I think we need to go through these growing pains and I have confidence they'll be worked out." Members of the province's opposition parties said they don't understand why the work hasn't already been done. Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette said the government should have foreseen the problems. "We're hearing ... from nurses and medical professionals that right now it's a disaster," he said. NDP MLA Susan LeBlanc echoed Mombourquette's disbelief. "It's beyond me why this idea of free parking at hospitals couldn't have been figured out before it was played out. But frankly no, it's not working," she said. The health authority said it is working on solutions and expects to announce some changes to the program soon.
CBC
14-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Nova Scotia's primary care waitlist drops once again
The list of people looking for a primary care provider in Nova Scotia shrank last month. Nova Scotia Health removed 2,193 people from the Need a Family Practice Registry in March, bringing the total down to 93,682 — or about nine per cent of the population. The provincial government says it's aiming to get the number down to five per cent, or about 50,000 people. The latest numbers were issued Monday in a news release from the health authority. The release did not provide a breakdown of how many people have been attached to primary care providers in the past month, nor did it say how many were removed from the list through an ongoing validation process. Nova Scotia Health has been calling people on the list since last summer to find out if they still need a provider. The list — which some people look to as an indicator of how well the health-care system is working — is at its lowest point since 2022. It reached a peak of about 160,000 last June before the health authority stopped posting updates online. Public updates in the form of news releases resumed several months later, and the size of the list has been shrinking ever since. The updates include the current tally and change from the month prior, but they no longer contain the level of detail they previously did, such as the need for a family physician broken down by community. The change has drawn criticism from the opposition, who say the restriction of public reporting makes it difficult to assess whether real progress is being made. Earlier this year, the health authority removed all registry information from its data reporting website, and Health Minister Michelle Thompson said that's how it will remain at least until the authority's validation is complete.
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cherry Bekaert Achieves Top 20 Status on Accounting Today's 2025 Top 100 Firms List
The Firm Receives Multiple Prestigious Honors From Accounting Today RALEIGH, N.C., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Bekaert (the Firm) proudly announces its ranking as number 20 on Accounting Today's prestigious 2025 Top 100 Firms List. This recognition underscores Cherry Bekaert's commitment to excellence, innovation and client service in the accounting industry. The annual list showcases the top-grossing accounting firms of 2024, and Cherry Bekaert is honored to be acknowledged for its steadfast dedication to client success and industry leadership. Highlighted within Accounting Today's publication are Cherry Bekaert's strategic growth initiatives and client-focused approach, which have propelled the Firm's ascent in the industry. Over the past year, Cherry Bekaert has achieved significant milestones. Notable developments include the acquisition of Sage reseller Kerr Consulting in August, followed by Microsoft reseller ArcherPoint and solutions developer Suite Engine in October. Additionally, the Firm launched a newly designed website in November and capped the year with the acquisitions of Boston-area firm Katz Nannis + Solomon and Washington, DC-area firm DeBlanc, Murphy & Murphy in December. Cherry Bekaert is also honored to be ranked as the number one firm in the Southeast region. With roots based in Raleigh, NC, this accolade accentuates the Firm's exceptional client service and leadership in the Southeast, reinforcing our strong presence and influence in the Southeast, where we continue to serve a diverse range of clients with tailored solutions. In addition to these achievements, Cherry Bekaert has been distinguished in several other categories by Accounting Today: Leaders in Tax (Firms over $100M): Ranked #6 Leaders in Consulting (Firms over $100M): Ranked #2 Top Tax Firms: Ranked #26 'These rankings are a testament to the talent and dedication of our teams and their unwavering commitment to our clients and the Firm,' said Michelle Thompson, CEO, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC. 'We are honored to be recognized as a leader in the accounting and consulting industry and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional service to our clients while achieving even greater success in the future.' These accolades highlight Cherry Bekaert's strategic focus on integration and innovation across its operations, enabling the Firm to offer digitally driven, industry-aligned solutions that address today's business challenges. To view the full report from Accounting Today, download it here. About Cherry Bekaert Cherry Bekaert, ranked among the largest assurance, tax, and advisory firms in the U.S., serves clients across industries in the U.S. and internationally. 'Cherry Bekaert' is the brand name under which Cherry Bekaert LLP and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, independently owned entities, provide professional services in an alternative practice structure in accordance with applicable professional standards. Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC is not a licensed CPA firm. Cherry Bekaert LLP is a licensed CPA firm that provides attest services, and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC and its subsidiary entities provide business advisory and non-attest services spanning the areas of transaction advisory, risk and accounting advisory, digital solutions, cybersecurity, and tax. We exercise a deliberate curiosity to know our clients' industries and work collaboratively to create shared success. For more details, visit © 2025 Cherry Bekaert. All Rights Reserved.
