The Public Sector Podcast: OPOR by Design: Building Resilient and Trusted Health Systems

Episode Overview:

In this keynote episode, we dive into Nova Scotia’s groundbreaking One Person One Record (OPOR) initiative—a province-wide digital transformation designed to deliver safer, more connected, and patient-centred care. Jamie Martel, Senior Director, and Dr. Julie Miranda, Chief Medical Information Officer of the OPOR program at Nova Scotia Health, walk us through how the province is unifying fragmented health systems into a single clinical platform that spans all regions, care settings, and patient journeys.

What We Discussed:

Our guests explain why OPOR is not just a technology upgrade but a sweeping clinical transformation. They highlight the importance of inclusive design, robust governance, and clinician engagement from day one. With the first implementation scheduled for December 2024, they reflect on the program’s rapid pace, challenges, and what it means for future innovation.

Key Themes Include:

• A Province-Wide Shift: How Nova Scotia is standardising care across hospitals, clinics, and zones through a shared digital platform.

• One Record, One Patient: Replacing fragmented systems with a single longitudinal health record that follows the patient everywhere.

• Designing for Real Needs: Why OPOR is being built with direct input from frontline clinicians, with user access and trust at the centre.

• Legacy to Future: Migrating from paper-based records and disconnected systems to a modern, interoperable digital ecosystem.

• What It Enables: Laying the foundation for future technologies—AI, predictive analytics, and real-time decision support.

• Governance & Public Trust: Strong inter-agency collaboration and cyber safeguards to ensure security, privacy, and citizen confidence.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re involved in digital health, clinical transformation, or public sector modernisation, this episode is a must. Learn how Nova Scotia is taking a coordinated, people-first approach to healthcare innovation—while keeping the lights on 24/7.