Nova Scotia is taking another step toward a more connected, patient-centred health system, with the One Person One Record clinical information system going live across Nova Scotia Health’s Central Zone on Saturday, May 9.
The new system will bring patients’ records together in one place to deliver better care, faster. The benefits will include preventing duplication and unnecessary tests, timely decision making and more accurate care.
Select provincial mental health and addictions services will also start using the new system Saturday. This second phase of the provincewide rollout of One Person One Record marks a milestone as it includes the province’s largest concentration of healthcare facilities and providers, in the greater Halifax area.
“The expansion of One Person One Record across more of the health system is connecting care in a way that hasn’t been possible before,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, on behalf of Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “With secure access to a patient’s complete, up-to-date information, healthcare providers can deliver better care, faster. For patients, this means no longer having to retell your medical history to every new healthcare provider you see.”
One Person One Record was implemented at IWK Health in December. The new system gives healthcare professionals access to a patient’s complete, up-to-date health information from ambulatory clinics, emergency department visits, mental health and addictions treatment and inpatient care.
As facilities transition to the new system, patients and families may notice slightly longer wait times. Patients will continue to receive safe, high-quality care throughout this period. Emergency and urgent care services will continue without interruption.
Once fully implemented, One Person One Record will replace or integrate more than 50 systems that healthcare professionals use daily to record and view patient information. It is expected to be in use provincewide by the end of this year.
Quotes:
“The first launch of the new system at Nova Scotia Health is a major milestone toward a more connected, patient-centred health system. By giving care teams timely access to the information they need, we are improving how care is co-ordinated across settings and strengthening the foundation for safer, more seamless care for Nova Scotians.”
— Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Executive Vice-President, Medicine and Clinical Operations, Nova Scotia Health
“This implementation moves us closer to a more integrated health system for all Nova Scotians and reflects the commitment and readiness of our clinical and digital teams. This new system supports safer, more co-ordinated care that enables teams to work more seamlessly together across care areas, sites and services.”
— Scott McKenna, Chief Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health
“We are honoured to work alongside the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health on the One Person One Record project – a clinical and digital transformation mission to expand a unified, integrated clinical platform that helps care teams access the right information at the right time. Oracle Health is committed to supporting health systems with technology designed to bring the patient story together in one place, improve co-ordination across settings, and strengthen continuity of care.”
— Erin O’Halloran, Vice-President and Canada market leader, Oracle Health and Life Sciences
Quick Facts:
- the central health zone includes facilities from Windsor to Sheet Harbour
- training for healthcare professionals at Central Zone sites began February 17 and has included practice opportunities; after the system is live, they will have access to 24/7 in-person, on-site clinical and technical support from peer mentors, adoption coaches and vendor resources
- provincial mental health and addictions services beginning to use One Person One Record on the weekend include: Correctional Health Services, Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Central Intake Services, Forensic Sexual Behaviour Program, Driving While Impaired/Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program, Clinical Virtual Care Team and Adolescent Outreach Services
- when fully implemented, more than 26,000 healthcare professionals across the province will have access to real-time patient information, based on their role in providing quality care
- in 2023, the Province signed a 10-year, $365 million contract with Oracle Health Canada to design, develop, implement and support One Person One Record
Additional Resources:
News release – One Person One Record to Launch at IWK: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/12/04/one-person-one-record-launch-iwk
News release – New Technology to Improve Patient Care: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/02/01/new-technology-improve-patient-care
Department of Health and Wellness:
Oracle Health Canada: https://www.oracle.com/ca-en/health/
