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SYDNEY, N.S. — The doctor who served as a network lead under the Nova Scotia Health Authority tendered her resignation from the position, effective just days before making a post on social media calling attention to what she called a crisis in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital emergency department.

Dr. Meghan Keating

Dr. Meghan Keating declined to do an interview when contacted by the Cape Breton Post on Wednesday but did confirm stepping down as network lead.

Nova Scotia Health Authority spokesperson Greg Boone explained Keating’s role covered the department of family practice physician network, covering the family practice physician group in Cape Breton County. She resigned from the role effective Dec. 31. He said they will begin recruiting to fill the role soon.

Both Boone and Keating said they were not aware of any complaint made by the NSHA regarding Keating’s post.

“Another loss of physician leadership,” Dr. Stephanie Langley wrote on Twitter. “Dr Meaghan Keating has stepped down as Network Lead for our Zone … Bright young engaged physician who’s (sic) ideas were devalued.”

On Jan. 6, Keating posted on Facebook that there were “sick patients in hallway beds, staff forced to re-purpose random spaces like washrooms to perform assessments, 26 admitted patients waiting for beds, only enough cardiac monitors for the sickest. But yet, according to government, we don't need our community hospitals.”

She also thanked those who have been working in the emergency department, saying their work is appreciated.

Following the post, Boone partially attributed exceptionally high numbers of patients showing up in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s emergency department over the past few weeks to the holiday season and local doctors taking extra time off during the holiday season.

While the emergency department at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital typically sees about 120 to 130 patients each day, recent numbers have been averaging 140 to 160 patients each day over the past few weeks, with a high of 166 on one day recently.

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