The Nova Scotia Health Authority has welcomed another anesthesiologist to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital and says anesthesia coverage at the hospital is confirmed to Sept. 30.
“We have 24-7 coverage until Sept. 30,” said Fraser Mooney, a spokesperson for the health authority.
There will be coverage beyond that date, he said, with shifts being planned into October, probably even November, but the schedule for those months may not be fully slotted yet.
“We can say we’ve got guaranteed coverage until the end of September and we’re working on filling any gaps in the schedule beyond that,” Mooney said.
Dr. Ali Ganbou is the Yarmouth hospital’s new anesthesiologist. He has joined Dr. Sami Belhaj and the rest of the Yarmouth team.
“Dr. Ganbou has been undergoing an orientation to the site and the program and is getting settled in Yarmouth,” the health authority said in an update on the anesthesia situation at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Earlier this year, a shortage of anesthesiologists and concern over lack of anesthesia coverage at the Yarmouth hospital became an issue and source of concern for many people.
Dr. Belhaj started at the Yarmouth hospital in May.
Meanwhile, as it welcomes Dr. Ganbou, the health authority says its efforts to bring more doctors to the area are ongoing.
“We continue to follow up on several promising leads for potential new recruits and locum physicians,” the authority said in its update. “This work has benefitted from our partnership with the local community and the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce.”
The NSHA says it is pleased to work closely with the chamber as they establish their new community navigator position.
Rebecca Cassidy Rose has been hired for this position, “which will bring tremendous value to our recruitment efforts,” the health authority said. “As community navigator, Rebecca will focus on robust recruitment activities, retention of physicians already practising in our area, and identifying and encouraging local young people who want to pursue a career in medicine.”
