Nova Scotia’s need-a-family-practice registry hits 2-year low
The latest data released by the provincial health authority in Nova Scotia reveals that the number of individuals in need of a family doctor has dropped to the lowest level in two years. As of November 27, there are 119,670 people on the need-a-family-practice registry, a significant decrease from the previous number of 132,166 individuals. This decrease is a positive sign for residents in Nova Scotia who have been struggling to find a family physician.
According to the health authority, 10,477 people were able to secure a family practice in November, while an additional 2,019 individuals were removed from the registry due to validation work confirming that they had found a provider. This brings the current registry size to 11.3 percent of the provincial population, a promising improvement in access to primary care.
The last time the registry size was this low was on November 1, 2022, when it stood at 120,409 individuals. The health authority plans to provide another update in early January to keep the public informed about the ongoing progress in addressing the need for family doctors in the province.
Despite the positive news, there are still areas that require attention. The province’s online dashboard, which tracks various health-care metrics, has not been updated to reflect the latest numbers. This pause in updating the dashboard was announced in June to allow staff to validate the data accurately. Premier Tim Houston had previously expressed concerns about the accuracy of the registry and its usefulness in March.
Overall, the decrease in the number of individuals in need of a family doctor in Nova Scotia is a step in the right direction. The efforts to address this issue are making a positive impact, and the health authority’s commitment to providing updates and ensuring the accuracy of the data is crucial in ensuring continued progress in improving access to primary care for residents.
