NSNDP

October 5th, 2018

SANE nurse promised for Truro after community outcry

HALIFAX -- According to a recent letter from the Minister of Health, Truro will get a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. The decision comes after community outcry over the lack of sexual assault services for survivors in the Truro area.

“This is an important win for the community. We need and deserve to have these services available to us,” said Lenore Zann, NDP MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River. “The stories we’ve heard over the last month, of survivors being turned away from our hospital, are unacceptable."

Following news reports in the Truro area, there have been continuous calls for the Liberal government to expand the SANE program to the Colchester East Hants Health Centre.

“The Liberal government has been slow to react to the calls of my community on this issue, but it’s good news today that our voices have been heard and this program will be expanded,” said Zann who, with other women in the area, have come together to demand these services. “We still have questions for the Health Minister and want to know when this service will be available in Truro.”

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are already available in other parts of the province including HRM, New Glasgow, Sydney, Antigonish, and Yarmouth.

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