Nova Scotia’s Opposition Parties Skeptical of Government’s Claims on Family Doctor Waitlist

Nova Scotia’s opposition parties, the NDP and Liberals, are expressing skepticism over the provincial government’s claims of a shrinking list of residents waiting for a family doctor. The parties have heard from constituents who were supposedly offered primary care and removed from the waitlist, only to wait months for an actual appointment at a clinic.

According to Nova Scotia Health, the province’s waitlist for a family doctor or nurse practitioner has decreased to 93,700 as of April 1, down from 104,300 on Feb. 15. However, NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Liberal House leader Iain Rankin have both stated that they have received complaints from individuals who are still waiting for a clinic to contact them for an appointment despite being removed from the official waitlist.

Both Chender and Rankin have expressed doubts about the accuracy of the new waitlist numbers, but have not provided specific figures on the number of people facing delays in scheduling appointments. Health Minister Michelle Thompson acknowledged that there may be a lag time between a patient being offered a primary care provider and actually securing an appointment.

Nova Scotia Health has admitted that they do not have data on how many individuals are currently in a holding pattern, waiting for a clinic to reach out to them after being matched with a primary care provider.

It is evident that while the government may be making strides in reducing the overall waitlist for family doctors, there are still significant challenges in ensuring timely access to primary care services for all Nova Scotians. The opposition parties’ concerns highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of healthcare resources in the province.