The College’s Council recently endorsed the 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain as evidence of best practice. Among the many recommendations, the guidelines identify that opioids are not a first line choice for chronic non-cancer pain. When opioids are indicated, an upper limit of 90 morphine equivalents per day is strongly recommended. As you incorporate these new guidelines into your practice, I would ask you pay particular attention to the [...]
Dr. Elizabeth Mann was awarded the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Honorary Membership Award at the recent annual general meeting of Doctors Nova Scotia. Dr. Mann was recognized in honour of her 37-year career as a general internist in Halifax. As a general internist, Dr. Mann provided medical care to patients at the Victoria General Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and the North End Community Health Centre. Dr. Mann also served on the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia from June 2007 until May 2017. Dr. Mann served as President of the College from 2012 to 2014. During her tenure on Council, Dr. Mann chaired a number of committees including the Professional Standards Committee and an Investigations [...]
At its May 26 meeting, the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia endorsed the new 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain as best practices for physicians in Nova Scotia. “The guidelines reflect the most current scientific evidence available in treating chronic non-cancer pain. The evidence concludes that high doses of opioids over long periods of time pose serious risks to patients including opioid dependency, addiction and overdose,” said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. Dr. Grant is one of the authors of the new
D.A. (Gus) Grant, AB, LLB, MD, CCFP, ICD.D Reappointed as College Registrar & CEO The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the reappointment of Dr. D.A. (Gus) Grant as Registrar and CEO. Initially appointed to the post in 2011, Dr. Grant sits on the Board of the Medical Council of Canada, is the Past President of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, is a member of the Council of the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Network, and is the Chair of the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program. Dr. Grant presently sits on the province's Leadership Committee on Opioid Drug Misuse and Overdose. Dr. Grant has practised both law [...]
Canada's federal legislation outlining the process and eligibility for medical assistance in dying in Canada received royal assent June 17th. The College's Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying has been revised to ensure alignment with Bill C-14. Eligible patients will be able to access medical assistance in dying through the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Physicians are asked to contact the College if they require further clarification.
The province's Public Prosecution Service issued a Directive June 16th confirming it will not prosecute any physicians or members of a health-care team, who participate in the provision of medical assistance in dying that falls within the scope of the Supreme Court of Canada's Carter decision. "For us, that removes what was really the only lingering concern about whether this service could be delivered easily in the absence of federal legislation," said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. The Directive [...]
The suspension of the Supreme Court of Canada’s unanimous Carter decision decriminalizing physician assisted death will end on June 6th. Legislation regarding medical assistance in dying was tabled in the House of Commons on April 14th. Bill C-14 is still being scrutinized in the Senate and is not anticipated to be enacted into law by June 6th. In the absence of legislation, the Carter decision will then become the law of the land. In preparation the College has developed a Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying. Eligible patients according to this standard will be able to access this service through the Nova Scotia Health [...]
At its May 27thmeeting, the College Council endorsed the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain as best practices for physicians in Nova Scotia. “We recognize these guidelines represent a significant departure from present practice for many physicians,” said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. “The existing threshold dose is 200 milligrams per day of morphine. The CDC guidelines urge caution at doses of 50 milligrams and to avoid doses in excess of 90 milligrams. In essence, this represents a dramatic change, a dramatic [...]
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that Dr. William D. Stanish of Halifax has been appointed College President for the 2016-2018 term. Dr. Stanish is an internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon. His distinguished career includes being named chief medical officer for the Canadian Olympic Team, founder and director of the Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic of Nova Scotia and a member of the Order of Nova Scotia. He is currently professor emeritus of surgery at Dalhousie University and holds honourary doctor of laws degrees from St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Prince Edward Island. Physicians Elected to Council As a result [...]
All members and associate members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia are invited to attend its 21st Annual General Meeting. Date: Friday, May 27th, 2016 Time: 3:45 p.m. Location: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia Suite 5005, 7071 Bayers Road Halifax, NS B3L 2C2 If you wish to attend, please RSVP Carolyn MacDonald at 902-421-2209 or via e-mail at cmacdonald@cpsns.ns.caby Wednesday, May 18th.
Site Search