IWK Health

The Atlantic Provinces Pediatric Hematology Oncology Network (APPHON) needs Patient and Family Advisors to help them understand issues with cancer treatment and fertility preservation (ability to have a baby)

Your input will be used to inform the best practice for patients in Atlantic Canada.

They are looking for:
• Cancer patients (diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39)
• Cancer survivors, diagnosed younger than 15
• Parent or family member/partner of a person who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age (less than 39)

When?
• Summer 2024 to March 2026

Do you have?
• An interest in the topic of fertility?
• A willingness to work with others?
• The time to attend meetings (3-12 per year, depending on role)?

Participants will be paid for their time.

For more information and to apply, please contact Carol Digout:
[email protected]

https://surveys.novascotia.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p9LHm536J

Thanks to our friends at Global Halifax for helping us celebrate and educate this week for national Child Passenger Safety Week! CSL's Katherine Hutka gave host Paul Brothers some tips on how to safely transition children through the different stages. Check it out here: https://childsafetylink.ca/news/global-tv-news-making-sure-your-child-right-car-seat

IWK Health is seeking Information Desk volunteers.

If you love connecting with people and want to make a difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you!

Shifts run Mon-Fri, 8am-11am, 11am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-4pm
Average commitment would be one shift per week
Training is provided

A great way to gain health care experience and meet new people!

For more information or to apply, please contact Randi Turner at [email protected] or 902-470-6692.

Join us on October 9th during Mental Illness Awareness Week for Let’s Keep Talking, featuring Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes.

Let's Keep Talking will be an inspiring evening where we can come together as a community to talk openly about mental health and celebrate outstanding Nova Scotians making strides in mental health support, education, and advocacy.

This event is open to the public and free to attend! Please register here to reserve your seat: www.mentalhealthns.ca/lets-keep-talking

— Presented by Bell Let's Talk —

The Orchid Gala is a charity event that aims to improve health care for women in the Maritimes. This year's gala will take place on Saturday, October 5th, and the funds raised will go toward the gynaecology department at IWK Health.

To donate to this cause, please visit the following link: https://iwkfoundation.org/orchidgala

“This technology focuses on patient experience with its minimally invasive approach to treatment. Studies have demonstrated a rapid recovery for the patient, less pain, and decreased risk during the procedure.”

New advanced technology acquired by IWK Health will offer a less invasive treatment option for patients suffering from fibroids – benign growths within the uterus composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue.

https://iwkhealth.ca/news-and-stories/advancing-womens-health-care-patients-suffering-fibroids-benefit-state-art

IWK Mental Health and Addictions has put together some tips on how to support children and youth as they adapt to the new Cell Phone Policy in schools.
https://iwkhealth.ca/news-and-stories/supporting-children-and-youth-changes-cell-phone-usage-school

International Housekeeping and Environmental Service week is a time to recognize our Environmental Services (EVS) team and the critical contribution they make every day to help provide patients and families with safe and quality care. The cleanliness of all IWK areas impacts not only patient experiences, but helps stop vulnerable patients, visitors and staff being exposed to infections that can lead to severe complications.

“We don’t want a hospital admission to be the reason why a student falls behind or disengages from school."

If you were asked to name the types of patient-serving roles at IWK Health, you’d likely list nurses and physicians. Maybe you would list some smaller teams like respiratory therapists or midwives, too. But would you list teachers? You should.

Last week, children and youth headed back to school. For most that meant going to a school in their community, but for some that are in the hospital, that means working with the teachers and educational support workers at IWK Health.

https://iwkhealth.ca/news-and-stories/hospital-school-provides-patients-sense-structure-and-normalcy-their-day

Are you a parent looking for parenting support?
The Incredible Years is the program for you!
The Community Health Team is excited to offer both pre-school and school-aged sessions. Register now! Our virtual group makes it accessible for parents across Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Health IWK Health Centre

You DO NOT need to go to a walk in clinic to get a referral for a prenatal care provider. There are nearly 50 Family Medicine OB doctors that can care for your pregnancy and birthing needs in the central zone!

Link to the current list is in bio!

IWK Health is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and scent-reduced environment for patients, families, staff, volunteers, students, and visitors. It’s why we make every effort to purchase and use products that are scent free, and ask all visitors to respect our scent-free policy if possible.

Nova Scotians can access mental health and addiction support, anywhere, anytime through the YourHealthNS app.

To learn more visit: https://www.yourhealthns.ca/

We want to see whether an investigational vaccine may potentially help protect babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). See if you qualify: bit.ly/CCfV_RSVoyage

The Atlantic Canada Poison Centre is just one call away, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Experts are available to answer your questions about poison exposures and to give you the best advice on what to do if you or anyone in your family has been affected by a poison. Add the number to your cell phone for a quick connect wherever you are. All calls are free and confidential 1(844) 764-7669.

September 10, 2024, is World Su***de Prevention Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about su***de. Su***de occurs across all ages, economic, social, ability, racial, gender and ethnic boundaries.

The theme this year is “Changing the Narrative on Su***de”. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding su***de. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

The call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on su***de and su***de prevention. Every conversation, no matter how small, breaks down barriers and contributes to a more supportive and understanding society. It's important to know that asking someone if they're thinking about su***de won't increase the risk. Asking can lead to important conversations.

Ways to help a loved one who may be struggling:
Listen supportively
Validate their feelings
Encourage them to seek support
Tell them you care and that you do not want them to die

If you or someone you know is at risk, please reach out for help

Nova Scotia, https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/topics/conditions/su***de,
PEI https://pei.cmha.ca/su***de-prevention/
New Brunswick https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/Su***de_Prevention.html

Emergency & crisis services

Canada Su***de Crisis Helpline 988
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Text CONNECT to 686868
NS Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line 1-888-429-8167
Emergency 911

On behalf of the entire IWK community, thank you Myron and Berna for putting Maritime patients and their families first by recognizing the value of spaces within a connected system and how space impacts patient care, recovery and healing journeys. With your continued commitment you are joining philanthropists like Izaak Walton Killam in creating a legacy that will write the next chapter for our children, youth and their families receiving care at IWK Health.

Learning how to manage medication and understanding how to access medication coverage can be challenging, especially for youth preparing for adulthood. We have created a helpful resource to support youth and families so that every 18-year-old who leaves the IWK understands their options for medication coverage.

The resource has everything from how to read a medication label, tips on how to remember to take your medications, to what questions to ask about your health insurance plan.
https://iwkhealth.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Transition%20to%20Adult%20Care--Medication%20and%20Insurance%20Tips.pdf

Hudson | IWK Foundation Despite his health challenges, seven-year-old Hudson from Prince Edward Island hopes to return to playing hockey full-time thanks to the specialized care of the IWK.

📞 Caller ID for IWK Health facility calls

Facility names and numbers will now show up when we call you.

This change is in response to feedback from patients that are not answering calls that display as ‘unknown number’ and potentially missing messages about their care.

Note: In sensitive cases, facilities can still choose to appear as “Unknown Number.”

This update, based on your feedback from the Healthcare Improvement Challenge, is part of our commitment to enhancing healthcare for Nova Scotians.

Child Safety Link's Samantha went on CTV Morning Live Atlantic to discuss back to school safety tips--for both pedestrians and drivers! Check out the segment here:

https://childsafetylink.ca/news/ctv-news-back-school-safety-tips-child-safety-link?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-oixleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZK2IurnzW9zCyHNu3sO9dncOtr0U9aw4bBSFCQq7Fm6BZXNMcCzU0jwJQ_aem_UAqc9khhRUS64CVvmpEDxA