Shelburne struggling to keep ER room open

Residents of Shelburne, N.S., are expressing concerns about the future of their hospital, but they're also offering thoughts on how to preserve and perhaps even improve it.

The emergency room at Roseway Hospital has been closing on a frequent basis because of nursing shortages. The mayor of Shelburne, Karen Mattatall, says she'd like to see the facility run as it was in the past.

"I think that our services were best in this county for the residents when we owned and managed our own hospital, which we did. I know that was many years ago, but it may be something we want to talk about with the province again."

Roseway Hospital was built and paid for back in 1980 by taxpayers of Shelburne County. The county was given an operating budget by the province, but the county owned and managed the facility.

"It certainly at the time worked well. I know there's people that will say that won't work again; however, it's an option we'd like to see considered." Mattatall said.

Another person with an idea to improve the situation is Dr. Wouna Chaloner, the ER doctor at Roseway Hospital.

She says she's sad and worried that the hospital is not able to provide the services they should be able to deliver. She's worked in emergency rooms around the world and has helped some of them improve their care.

"I believe there's a different model of care that can be applied here. There's little  pieces of it already in place in Nova Scotia. It's just that we have to take the bull by the horns and actually just do it our way to get the service that needs to be there."

Chaloner says her idea is similar to collaborative emergency centres in Nova Scotia, but with some changes, including a doctor.

"It might not be the model that everyone is used to, but it will still eventually provide the care, which is my only concern."

She says she would be happy to share her ideas.

Nova Scotia Department of Health spokeswoman Lindsay Lewis says "We appreciate that the unexpected closures of the Roseway Hospital emergency department are frustrating and we share these concerns."

She says the department is working to improve the delivery of health care. She also says, "There are no plans to reduce services or close the hospital."