A Publication for Members of Health Association Nova Scotia February 17, 2017 Bulletin #58 Health Association Launches WHAT’S INSIDE: New Shared Financial Services Page 1 Program Health Association Launches New Shared Financial Services Program Health Association Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the introduction of a new fee-for-service program -- Financial Services. Page 2 The transactional accounting service was developed in response to a request Health and Community Services Workplace Safety Action Plan from a group of long term care members who were seeking a collective platform for this corporate function. The service is designed to free up Page 3 organizational resources and time while still allowing for the continued fi nancial management, reporting, and oversight by the organization’s senior fi nancial Agreement Signed for Two New EHS LifeFlight Helicopters management team. Municipality of Richmond County Receives Mental-Health Grant The new service was successfully piloted at a member nursing home in fall 2016 and is now available to other interested Health Association members. Page 4 The Health Association’s Financial Services solution involves the use of “cloud- based” so ware packages (Hubdoc, Xero, and ApprovalMax) that integrate Continuing Care Council Update to provide a seamless end-to-end solution. Included among the transactional accounting services provided are accounts payable, accounts receivable Page 5 (including resident/client billing), payroll and reporting. The organization’s Planning Begins for New Satellite Dialysis fi nancial team has full access to the accounting system for purposes of Unit in Digby reporting. CBCF and CCS Merge As a fee-for-service program, a fi xed annual price will be determined based Page 6 on the estimated number of transactions. All so ware and payroll costs are Upcoming Events included in the pricing. Transaction volume will be reviewed annually with adjustments for following years made accordingly. Implementation costs will Page 6 be estimated on a case by case basis. CHCA Members Engage in Innovative Safety Improvement Collaborative “The Health Association has almost sixty years’ “We were very pleased experience in delivering high quality, cost- Page 8 with the outcome of the eff ective shared services and we strive to be pilot and are excited to Online News You May Have Missed responsive to the needs of our members for make this new service programs that provide be er value for money VON Receives Grant for its Safety Program available to all Health than could be achieved independently,” says Association members.” Mary Lee, President/CEO. “We were very 2 Dartmouth Rd. pleased with the outcome of the pilot and are MARY LEE Bedford, Nova Scotia excited to make this new service available to all PRESIDENT/CEO B4A 2K7 Health Association members.” 902.832.8500 If you would like to learn more about the Health Association’s new Financial healthassociation.ns.ca Services program, please contact Jim Cook, CFO & Director of Corporate Services, at 902-832-8500, ext. 306 or [email protected] 1 February 17, 2017 Bulletin #58 Health and Community Services Workplace Safety Action Plan Submi ed by: Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia Our province’s health and community services sectors play a critical role in the health and well-being of Nova Scotians, and combined are the largest industry sector in the province. Did you know that workers in these sectors are more likely to be injured on the job than any other type of worker? Accounting for 20 per cent of total assessable payroll, the health and community service sectors account for almost 30 per cent of time-loss claims to WCB Nova Scotia. That means three out of ten time-loss claims originate in these sectors. Because of the size of these sectors, the high rate of work-related injuries and illnesses, and the risk and impact on quality care outcomes, stakeholders, including employers and unions, are coming together to help bring about change. Led by AWARE –NS, the Departments of Health and Wellness, Labour and Advanced Education, and Community Services, the Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre, and WCB Nova Scotia are working together to develop a fi ve-year action plan to improve the occupational health and safety outcomes specifi cally for publicly-funded home care, long-term care, and community services sectors. Nova Scotia needs its care workers healthy and on the job. Knowing that these work environments are very complex, research and stakeholder engagement sessions are underway to be er understand what causes injuries and how we can work together to identify opportunities to prevent injuries from occurring. Consultations with front-line care workers and managers/supervisors were held in November and December. The sessions took place in Yarmouth, Halifax, Truro, and Sydney, and were an important fi rst step in identifying issues and opportunities that will help inform development of the Action Plan. In total, 212 people from 62 organizations participated in the sessions, with employees and management represented equally. The second phase of consultations is now ge ing started, which involves gathering feedback from diff erent points of health and community services leadership and delivery. For example, Continuing Care Council, Home Support Network, the ARC/RRC Association, Community Governed Organizations, care coordinators, and discharge planners. A survey tool has also been launched to gather more input. Maybe you weren’t able to participate in person, or maybe you a ended a session but didn’t feel comfortable voicing your thoughts - there is still time to participate and have your say! Please click here to complete the brief, 10 minute survey. We all share the same vision for a safer system, for workers, patients, clients, and residents. Through education, collaboration, and a willingness to look at things diff erently, change is possible. Health Association Nova Scotia has Twitter Tweet us or follow us @HealthAssnNS 2 February 17, 2017 Bulletin #58 Agreement Signed for Two New EHS LifeFlight Helicopters Nova Scotia has reached an agreement with Canadian The new helicopters are approved to land on H1 Helicopters Limited for two new air ambulance helipads. Additionally, with much improved performance helicopters. capabilities, transport times will be reduced by 10 to 25 minutes. The province announced in December that it would replace the current Emergency Health Services (EHS) The amended agreement is for 15 years and valued at LifeFlight helicopter with two Sikorsky 76C+ helicopters. $105 million. With the addition of a second helicopter, an EHS LifeFlight helicopter will be available at least 98 per “Nova Scotia’s EHS LifeFlight is a vital service that cent of the time. Currently, there is no backup helicopter responds to emergencies and transfers patients from during maintenance and LifeFlight is available about 70 across the Maritimes,” said Health and Wellness Minister per cent of the time. Leo Glavine. “By adding a second helicopter to serve as a dedicated backup, we’re ensuring this lifesaving service The new helicopters will be in place for Aug. 1. is be er equipped with greatly improved availability.” Nova Scotia now has a single Sikorsky S-76 A helicopter (Source: DHW news release, January 26, 2017) operating EHS LifeFlight helicopter service. While it has an excellent safety record, it has not been able to land on H1 helipads in Halifax or Digby since April due to a change in the application of Transport Canada regulations. Municipality of Richmond County Receives Mental-Health Grant Older adults in the Strait-Richmond area will soon have “Our project will involve multiple partners and initiatives,” improved access to mental-health and addictions said Jose e Marchand, director of Recreation, Leisure support. and Community Relations. “It’s a unique project that will create ongoing collaboration and address the mental Minister of Energy Michel Samson announced a health of our seniors.” $120,000 community mental-health and addictions grant to the Municipality of Richmond County on behalf of Leo This grant is the last of a series of four community mental- Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness, on January 23. health and addictions grants worth more than $30,000 each. There were also six community mental-health “We know that mental health and addictions impact many and addictions grants awarded, each worth less than Nova Scotians and that older adults are at a risk of being $30,000. isolated from the programs they need,” said Mr. Samson. “This grant will provide a targeted approach to those at In total, the province has awarded more than $600,000 risk in our community and ensure they are connected worth of community mental-health and addictions grants with the appropriate supports.” this year. All grants were awarded for specifi c projects for a one-year period. Grants greater than $30,000 were The grant will go toward the municipality’s Body, Mind, evaluated by independent peer reviewers, then by an Spirit Program which reaches out to older adults to expert review board outside government. ensure they have access to mental-health and addictions resources if they need them. (Source: CIHI news release, January 23, 2017) 3 February 17, 2017 Bulletin #58 Continuing Care Council Highlights The Continuing Care Council is here to represent sector needs and issues that have an impact on member organizations. If you have any questions or concerns please contact a Council representative or Health Association Member & Partner Engagement staff . Thank you Doug Stephens, General Manager, MacLeod Group, for your Council Members: dedication and participation to advancing Council’s initiatives. You will be missed! • Anne e Fougere, Chair St. Anne Community & Nursing Care Centre anne [email protected] Welcome, Joyce & Greg !! - Joyce d’Entremont, CEO/Administrator Mountain Lea Lodge/The Meadows ARC and Greg McKim, Senior Director • Pam Smith, Vice Chair, Western Region Home Eastern Canada, CBI/We Care Health are your newest Council members.