PRESS RELEASE:
Premier’s Office
June 25, 2013 12:50 PM

The province has appointed an independent and nationally recognized expert to review the IWK Health Centre and Capital Health mental health and addictions programs, services, and policies as they relate to the events surrounding the death of a student.

Dr. Jana Davidson will begin the review immediately.

Dr. Davidson is vice president of Medical Affairs and a psychiatrist in chief of the Children’s and Women’s Mental Health Programs at the Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of British Columbia, and head, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

The review supports the recommendations from the external review of the Halifax Regional Schools Board’s handling of the Rehtaeh Parsons case.

The external review is an evaluation of the mental health and addictions services available to youth who are having difficulties with sexual assault, sexuality, addictions, peer relationships, bullying, and cyber-bullying.

A final report is expected September 30th.