September 15, 2026
HALIFAX, NS: Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin is calling for an independent Health Ombudsman to investigate serious patient safety concerns and require Nova Scotia Health to explain how they will respond to recommendations for safer care.
“The day after Tim Houston was sworn in as Premier, he dismissed the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s board of directors which included an independent quality review committee and replaced it with a single administrator,” said Smith-McCrossin.
“When patients and families file complaints about Nova Scotia Health, the body investigating those complaints is Nova Scotia Health itself. People are now told to send their complaints to Patient Relations, and too often there is no response.”
“The government has essentially put the proverbial fox in charge of the hen house. Nova Scotians deserve an independent health ombudsman who can get answers and hold the system accountable.”
“After losing my husband, I needed answers about what happened and whether his death could have been prevented,” said Karen Moxsom, whose husband died of sepsis after being discharged from hospital. “Families should not have to fight to be heard by the same organization responsible for their loved one’s care. I support this bill because we need an independent health ombudsman who can get answers, hold the system accountable and help prevent another family from suffering the same loss.”
Shavonne Lees’s family has also raised concerns about the investigation into her death from sepsis.
“When my sister Shavonne died after being failed by an overcrowded emergency room, our family turned to Nova Scotia Health for answers. What we learned is that when the Health Authority investigates itself there is no one holding them accountable and families are left with more questions than answers.” said Austin, a member of Shavonne Lees’s family.
“I am hearing from families who have gone through devastating experiences and have nowhere to turn. They feel abandoned,” said Smith-McCrossin when asked about why she felt the need to create this bill.
Smith-McCrossin’s proposed Health Ombudsman and Patient Safety Accountability Act would create an independent office reporting to the House of Assembly. The Ombudsman would have to be a qualified health professional with significant experience in direct patient care.
The Ombudsman could launch investigations into systemic safety concerns, compel records and testimony, and order evidence preserved. The bill would prohibit retaliation against patients, complainants and people who provide information, including healthcare workers.
Nova Scotia Health would be required to respond in writing to recommendations, explain any rejection, and identify who is responsible for corrective action and when it would be implemented. The Ombudsman would monitor the changes NSH commits to making.
Annual reports would be public. Investigation reports and responses could also be published where necessary for public safety or in the public interest, with personal information removed.
“We support this bill because no other family should have to go through what we did just to find the truth,” said the brother of Shavonne, Auston Lees.