Aberdeen hospital closing mental health unit
NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald says entire health care system has suffered under McNeil government
The Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow will soon be closing the doors on an eight-bed mental health unit.
The short stay inpatient unit treats patients dealing with a short-term mental health crisis.
Due to a staffing shortage, as of August 3, those services will no longer be provided.
Eileen MacIssac with the Nova Scotia Health Authority says a mental health patient who arrives at the hospital's emergency department will be assessed by the crisis team. Then, it will be determined what kind of care the patient requires.
"It may not be patient care, it may be community care or through another way," she said. "So the determination will be made as to the best care for the patients and then we will look at what can be provided, whether it's in the community or if it's in an inpatient way, what unit either within the Northern zone or in the province that the patient can be admitted."
Pictou County's Progressive Conservative MLAs released a statement Friday to criticize the Liberal government for its role in the closure.
"These men and women are in crisis and the Liberals kick the problem down the road," says MLA Tim Houston. "This decision is shortsighted, incompetent and putting lives at risk."
MLA Karla MacFarlane said their party could not let the beds go without a fight.
NDP leader Maureen MacDonald released a statement Sunday saying the entire health care system has suffered under the McNeil government and the minister of health owes Nova Scotians an explanation for why he has allowed the situation to reach this point.
"It's no more excusable to shut down a mental health unit for a number of months than it is to shut down a cardiac care unit. Mental health care is not optional for people suffering with a mental illness," she said.
MacIsaac says the province is currently seeking additional psychiatric staff, but the hospital doesn't know when the unit may be able to reopen.