Nova Scotia added 187 doctors to health-care system last year

Nova Scotia’s healthcare system saw a significant boost last year with the addition of 187 new doctors, nearly double the net gain from the previous year. This positive trend continued into the 2024 fiscal year, with the province welcoming 253 new doctors. However, this number was offset by retirements and departures, resulting in a slightly lower net gain.

Katrina Philopoulos, the director of recruitment for Nova Scotia Health, expressed satisfaction with the numbers but emphasized that efforts to attract more medical professionals will continue. Premier Tim Houston also commended the success of these recruitment efforts, highlighting Nova Scotia’s appeal as a welcoming workplace for doctors from around the world.

Of the 253 new doctors, 89 are family physicians and 164 are specialists. Philopoulos noted that the recruitment of Dalhousie University medical residents and internationally-trained doctors played a significant role in this achievement. Additionally, a dedicated recruitment and retention program has facilitated the placement of physicians in smaller communities such as Truro, Digby, and Antigonish.

Philopoulos credited the success of these recruitment efforts to the support of local communities, which have embraced new physicians and their families, helping them settle down and establish roots in the province.

In terms of addressing the need for primary care providers, Nova Scotia has made significant progress in reducing the waiting list for a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The number of individuals on the waiting list decreased to 93,700 as of April 1, down from 104,300 in mid-February. Philopoulos attributed this improvement to the recruitment of family medicine practitioners to the province.

As of March, there were 104 vacancies for family doctors and 108 vacancies for specialists in Nova Scotia. These numbers reflect ongoing efforts to fill critical healthcare positions and ensure that residents have access to essential medical services.

Overall, Nova Scotia’s healthcare system has made significant strides in bolstering its workforce and improving access to care for residents. The continued recruitment of medical professionals, particularly in underserved areas, will be essential in maintaining and enhancing the quality of healthcare services across the province.