HALIFAX – An independent expert appointed by the Nova Scotia government to review mental health programs and policies at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax in the aftermath of the Rehtaeh Parsons case needs more time to complete her report.
The province says the report by child and adolescent psychiatrist Jana Davidson is expected to be finished late next month, about a month later than it was initially due to be completed. Davidson, an expert from British Columbia, was appointed after an earlier report into the case raised concerns about the hospital. She has also been asked to examine procedures within the Capital District Health Authority and make recommendations to address gaps in treatment and counselling services for young people who are suicidal.
Another report commissioned by the province into the Halifax school board’s handling of the case called for an independent review of the IWK. The report said Parsons was admitted to the hospital in March 2012, about five months after the 17-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and became suicidal.
