If you need a family doctor – the waitlist has never been longer than it is now.
The list topped 81,000 as of November 1st.
Premier Tim Houston says recruitment efforts are ramping up and people on the waitlist can access virtual care starting in December.
“Virtual care is not for everything but it is certainly for a lot of things,” Houston explained. “We’re concerned about the list and Nova Scotians are concerned about the list…I would suggest that is why we saw a change in government.”
Houston realizes the situation will get worse before it gets better, but adds he’s aware of the issues in the health care system.
“People are being added to the list every month and we know there is a lot primary care providers that are approaching retirement and want to retire.”
The province announced in September it’s spending $1.3 million to expand the VirtualCareNS program to the Central and Eastern health zones (which includes Halifax and Cape Breton) beginning in December.
The program had already been available to residents outside of those areas prior to the expansion announcement.
