Are You Interested In Improving Your Health Care?

Huge amounts of data are collected by hospitals, health districts, and the Department of Health and Wellness as part of providing health care to the people of Nova Scotia. There is tremendous potential for using this information to better assess the delivery of health care and ways to improve health care in the future. Health researchers in Nova Scotia are conducting a focus group to get feedback from the public on how all of these data might best be used to improve health care.


We are recruiting a small number of people to participate in a three hour meeting to discuss the issues around use of health care data to support research projects designed to improve the lives of the people of Nova Scotia.

We are interested in hearing from you if you are a person who:

is interested in health research

may have participated in a health research project in the past as a research subject

is not a health researcher, medical practitioner, medical or health science faculty or student

is not involved in health research or planning to pursue health research

is a Nova Scotian


You do not need a medical background. We are looking for feedback from the community. We welcome participants from diverse cultural, social and educational backgrounds.

The focus group is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Dinner, free parking, and an honorarium of $50 will be provided. A group of 15 people will be invited to participate in the focus group.

There are 3 ways to indicate your interest in participating in the focus group:

Complete this online survey to register your interest

Email us: emily.edwards@dal.ca

Call us: (902) 494-7635

You must act before May 31st to be considered. With your help we can improve the quality of healthcare for all Nova Scotians!

Stories of Hope Video Launch

The Halifax Community Health Board is pleased to host the launch of our new film on Wednesday, June 13, from 5:30-6:30. This event will be held at the Bethune Ball Room at Capital Health's Bethune Building (1276 South Park Street, Halifax). (View on map at http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/find-us). Share in the stories of hope of Nova Scotians whose lives have been affected by addiction. You won't want to miss the first public screening of this moving and inspirational film. We're proud of the courageous citizens who shared their stories, representing a milestone step in the fight against addiction stigma in our province. RSVP to Joan Swinimer at joan.swinimer@cdha.nshealth.ca or call 424-2021.

Creative StART Open Studio Program - Art Exhibition

Come help us celebrate the artworks created over the past ten weeks by the participants in the CREATIVE START OPEN STUDIO PROGRAM.


The CREATIVE START OPEN STUDIO PROGRAM has been developed for youth, 17 to 21 years of age with disabilities and related challenges so they can explore different types of visual arts. Through this program, participants decided what kinds of art materials and processes they want to explore such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and more.

DATE: Friday June 1st, 2012
TIMES: 1:00 – 3:00PM
LOCATION: Room 117, Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola Street, Halifax

For information about the CREATIVE START OPEN STUDIO PROGRAM, contact Gerard McNeil by phone at 456 – 0861 or by e-mail at visualconnectionsproj@gmail.com

Take The Commuter Challenge

Stepping Up is proud to say we are working with Clean NS and SmartTrip to promote the Commuter Challenge. You and your workplace are invited to take part in the 2012 Commuter Challenge taking place during Environment Week June 3-9th:


Is your productivity sitting around in traffic?

• The average time a person spends commuting is equivalent to 32 working days per year! (Stats Can)

Give your car the day off and explore the walk, rollerblade, cycle, carpool, ride the transit system or work from home. Join the friendly, week-long competition between Canadian cities and workplaces and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to employee health and the environment while fostering active, safe, and vibrant communities.

Step Up to the Challenge today at commuterchallengehfx.ca

• Register / find your workplace, sign-up as an individual within your organization

• Gear up with HRM's bike week May 25- June 3rd http://www.halifax.ca/bikeweek/index.html

• Beginning June 3-9 enter your commute trips for the challenge and receive automated progress reports

• Prizes awarded daily!

Step Up to the Challenge today at www.commuterchallengehfx.ca encourage other organizations to do the same and lets make the Halifax region the most active, vibrant municipality in Canada!

The Chebucto Community Health Team is expanding!

The Chebucto Community Health Team has expanded its catchment area to include Fairview, Clayton Park, and Rockingham to Larry Uteck Boulevard.

People who live, work, or have a family doctor in the communities of Halifax Mainland can participate in the free health and wellness programs offered by the Chebucto Community Health Team.

Halifax Mainland communities include:

North – Fairview, Clayton Park, and Rockingham to Larry Uteck Blvd

South – Armdale, Herring Cove, Purcell’s Cove, Spryfield and the Sambro Loop

Postal codes – B3M, B3N, B3P, B3R, B3S, and B3V.

View the Chebucto Spring and Summer schedule and register online, or call 487-0690.

Which way do we go? Recruiting volunteers!

Capital Health wants to test out proposed new signs and directions at the Halifax Infirmary building of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. We’re looking for about 40 people who aren’t familiar with the Halifax Infirmary to help us out.

During the week of June 4 to 10, 2012, we’re asking you to come to the Halifax Infirmary and test out proposed new signs (at your convenience) and tell us what works and what doesn’t.

Participants need to sign up in advance so that we can send you a package with information about your specific clinic destination, as well as a feedback form.

When we receive your completed feedback form (mailed, emailed or dropped off by June 25), we’ll send you a $10 grocery store gift card as a small token of our thanks.

Interested in signing up or learning more? Contact Margaret Angus at 473-2726 or margaret.angus@cdha.nshealth.ca.