N.S. primary care waitlist continues to shrink, details remain scarce
Nova Scotia’s health authority has made significant progress in reducing the number of individuals on the waitlist for a primary care provider. In the past month, over 6,000 names were removed from the list, bringing the total number down to 104,324. While this is a positive step forward, the list still remains almost twice as long as the province’s target of five percent of the population.
The need-a-family-practice registry has been a key indicator of the healthcare crisis in Nova Scotia, with efforts being made to validate the accuracy of the data. Last summer, Nova Scotia Health began contacting individuals on the list to confirm if they are still in the province and actively seeking a family doctor or nurse practitioner. This validation process aims to provide a more precise understanding of the demand for primary care services.
Despite the decreasing numbers on the registry, detailed information about the geographical distribution of the list and the reasons for individuals joining have not been publicly disclosed in the last six months. Nova Scotia Health has deferred inquiries about the dashboard to the Department of Health and Wellness, which has not yet provided a response.
Furthermore, data on the reasons individuals were removed from the list, such as finding a provider independently or relocating, has also not been reported for the second consecutive month. Nova Scotia Health stated that this information will only be shared when it can be accurately and promptly reported to the public.
The decrease in the waitlist can be attributed to enhanced support and resources being allocated to family practice clinics for patient onboarding, as well as efforts in recruiting and retaining healthcare providers. The Department of Health and Wellness recently reported a net gain of 10 new family doctors and 40 nurse practitioners in the past year, bringing the total number of family doctors to 121 per 100,000 Nova Scotians. The government’s goal is to reach 135 family doctors per 100,000 residents.
As Nova Scotia continues to address the primary care provider shortage, initiatives to improve access to healthcare services and reduce wait times remain a top priority for the province. The ongoing efforts to validate and update the need-a-family-practice registry are crucial in ensuring that individuals receive the care they need in a timely manner.
