N.S. doctor waitlist sheds 9,214 more names, but health authority keeps details sparse

The demand for family doctors in Nova Scotia remains high, with the registry for individuals seeking a primary care provider steadily decreasing. According to recent data from Nova Scotia Health, there were 110,456 people on the need-a-family-practice registry as of January 2nd. This number has dropped from 119,670 in December, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline. Updates to the list were put on hold last summer to verify its accuracy.

While Nova Scotia Health did not disclose how many of the 9,214 individuals removed from the registry were successfully matched with a doctor, it is clear that the current number represents 10.4% of the province’s population. The health authority’s Action for Health dashboard, which provides detailed information about the registry, has not been updated since June. Premier Tim Houston and Health Minister Michelle Thompson have raised concerns about the usefulness of the registry in its current form.

Bethany McCormick, a vice-president at Nova Scotia Health, stated that efforts are underway to review and update the registry to ensure its accuracy. Staff members are actively reaching out to individuals on the list to confirm their need for a family doctor and their desire to remain on the registry. Individuals and their families can also update their information online or by calling 811.

As the health authority works to improve the registry, there is no set timeline for when the dashboard will be updated. Despite challenges in matching individuals with family doctors, Nova Scotia Health is committed to addressing the ongoing need for primary care providers across the province. The registry remains a valuable resource for connecting individuals with essential healthcare services.