From the Health Authority

South West Health
Serving Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties
Statement / Letter to Editor
Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Board of Directors of the South West Nova District Health Authority is made up of volunteers of various backgrounds from communities across Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties.

Like all Nova Scotia health districts, South West Health is governed by a Board that is responsible for the overall strategic and policy directions of the organization. Therefore, it is unusual for a Board like ours to become involved in staffing issues such as the discipline or dismissal of an employee.

Our Board chose to become involved in the Nurse Practitioner issue on Long and Brier Islands because we were seriously concerned by suggestions the management of South West Health may have acted in an unfair or inappropriate way toward a former employee.

Our Board was given the opportunity to learn more about the events that led to this situation. Given the facts, our Board firmly believes the management of South West Health acted fairly, appropriately and professionally at all times.

All past and present staff of South West Health need to know their management team is required to respect their privacy, no matter what. This requirement for confidentiality extends to the Board of Directors.

We understand this situation has been difficult for the community, especially since the public does not have the benefit of knowing all the facts and circumstances that led to this decision. Understandably, there has been plenty of speculation and anxiety caused by South West Health’s commitment to respect personal privacy.

South West Health carefully followed the progressive discipline process required by the collective agreement, and even extended the probationary period to allow ample opportunity to work with the employee to create a successful employment relationship. It is important to note any unionized employee can appeal a decision of their employer if they feel they were treated unfairly or dismissed without good reason. This appeal, started by the employee, allows an independent arbitrator to look at all the facts and identify wrongdoing if any exists.

Our Board of Directors has full confidence in the management of South West Health. It is our hope that we now move forward together, and South West Health can focus on our number one commitment of providing safe and quality health services to all the communities we serve.

Gerald Pottier, Board Chair
South West District Health Authority