Eight new general medicine beds were opened at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre yesterday.
The addition is part of the province’s initiative to reduce traffic and overcrowding that emergency room visitors face.
Provincial Health Minister Maureen MacDonald announced that the new additions would not only work towards a less-crowded emergency room, but would also “ease pressure on hospitals across the province.”
A Rapid Assessment Unit was created to ease admissions and combat congestion issues in emergency care.
The unit is used for patients who may not require emergency attention and for those requiring specialist consultations.
Also, an integrated Intermediate Care Unit was opened in the spring.
“All three investments together will improve the system. And the best part is the desired result, better health care for NS and their families,” MacDonald told reporters.
