N.S. healthcare system understaffed a year after firing unvaccinated

Unvaccinated healthcare workers still unwelcome while hospitals struggle

Emergency rooms in Nova Scotia were closed for twice as many hours this year photo from unsplash.com

Nova Scotia emergency rooms closed due to staff shortages for twice as many hours this year, after the province last year suspended more than 250 healthcare workers for not having a COVID-19 vaccination.

Emergency rooms across Nova Scotia were closed for more than 31 thousand hours, equivalent to 1,291 full days, between March 2021 and 2022, according to a CTV report.

This period ended three months after unvaccinated healthcare employees were suspended due to Nova Scotia's vaccine mandate.

The provincial government that month announced some employees who were unvaccinated could return to work, but not those who worked in healthcare.

Healthcare services including ambulances continued to struggle throughout the year, citing staffing issues.

Nova Scotia still requires health care workers -- new or returning -- to be vaccinated.