May 30 2012
SYDNEY, NS – The Auditor General’s scathing report on infection control practices at the Cape Breton District Health Authority boils down to a lack of oversight by the Health Department according to Public Accounts Committee member Chuck Porter.
“Patients expect medical equipment to be sterilized when they go for a procedure,” said Porter. “The NDP’s priorities are in question if a process such as this is allowed to fail so spectacularly.”
The report examined practices at CBDHA and Capital Health. There are seven other DHAs in the province. The report indicated that “the lack of provincial monitoring of infection rates means each district is left largely unaware of what may be happening elsewhere in the province” and "an outbreak could spread across multiple districts before it is identified".
“The Minister of Health has failed to ensure compliance with important public safety practices such as equipment sterilization,” said the Hants West PC MLA. “To learn that patients were exposed to unsterilized equipment shakes confidence in the government's oversight.”
Porter says the NDP have done little in the past three years to take basic steps identified by the Auditor General to assure the health and safety of patients. He says handwashing is one thing, but equipment sterilization is the problem identified by the Auditor General. The government must now prove to patients that the procedures they undergo are safe, he says.
“These are important diagnostic procedures. The NDP government must be seen to take strong action to restore confidence in the safety of these procedures,” added Porter.
Nova Scotians celebrate CAP Site Day with great visits to Upper Vaughan and the Hants Community Hospital and hope much needed services continue to be supported in Rural Nova Scotia. 
Stephen Weir manages the always busy CAP Site at the Hants Community Hospital.
April 19, 2012
WINDSOR, NS - Hants West MLA Chuck Porter says it's shameful that the NDP government is ignoring the needs of Hants West residents in favour of those in Hants East.
"The NDP paving priorities have left the good people of Hants West out in the cold," said Porter. "The people who travel on those roads should be just as important to the government as those who travel in Hants East, but the NDP paving plan leaves Hants West out."
Porter noted the NDP committed to taking the politics out of paving but it's been just the opposite.
"It seems like the NDP bought their own asphalt machine so they can look after their own. They can't do this work more efficiently or effectively than the private sector and they even admitted they can't do it cheaper," said Porter. "It's a waste of taxpayer dollars when they could be investing in programs and services that benefit all Nova Scotians, not just those in NDP constituencies."
April 4, 2012
HALIFAX, NS – The NDP’s approach to electricity is causing hardship for Nova Scotia families and costing jobs, says Hants West MLA Chuck Porter.
Today in the Legislature, the Speaker approved the Progressive Conservative's call for an emergency debate on power rates. Porter spoke up for Hants West families, demanding the Premier take into consideration affordability before proceeding with the Muskrat Falls project.
"Premier Dexter has no idea what the Muskrat Falls project will cost Nova Scotians but he's blindly going ahead with it anyway," said Porter. "It's the job of the Premier to make sure Nova Scotians are getting the best deal. Before we go any further with the Muskrat Falls project, we have to take a hard look at its affordability.”
In the past two days, two major developments have given urgency to power rate worries in Nova Scotia.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a critical report from the Public Utilities Board prompted the government there to call a special debate in the Legislature about the Muskrat Falls development.
April 3, 2012
WINDSOR, NS – Hants West MLA Chuck Porter re-introduced two Bills from the spring 2011 sitting of the Legislature yesterday that would protect Nova Scotia kids, if the NDP would put politics aside and adopt them.
The Concussion Awareness Act would increase education surrounding youth concussions in sports, ensuring everyone involved is aware of the importance of avoiding concussions and the long term effects of such an injury.
“We’re all becoming more cognizant of the long lasting and serious effects of sports-related concussions, especially when we are talking about children,” said Porter. “Education and awareness are the first steps in prevention.”
The Fair Treatment of Children Act would help youth struggling with mental illness get the help they need by ensuring they receive a psychiatric assessment within 30 days of being referred by a family doctor.
“Young people are struggling and I think this legislation will go a long way to ensuring that those who need help get it within a reasonable time,” said Porter.
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