Nova Scotians without primary care still concerned despite waitlist drop

The Nova Scotia family doctor waitlist shrank again last month.

Nova Scotia’s primary care waitlist dropped again last month, however some are still concerned about what the future holds as doctors across the province continue to retire.

Nova Scotia Health reported Wednesday that more than 8,000 people were removed from the Need a Family Practice Registry over the last month – leaving 95,875 still waiting for care.

Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan has been a family doctor for 35 years and sees about 30 patients each day.

She says it’s a relief to see the waitlist dropping.

“It’s just fantastic to see that the numbers are going down,” she said.

“I think it’s showing the multitude of people who’ve been working on this diligently now for years.”

The provincial government has been focused on collaborative care and pharmacy clinics, creating a new medical school in Cape Breton, and expediting licencing for internationally trained doctors.

However, as the waitlist goes down, there’s concern about how many will choose to retire in the near future.

Doctors Nova Scotia says 24 per cent of practicing family doctors in the province are over the age of 60. But the organization’s president says there are two key factors that could help address the issue.

“Decrease the burden on the family physicians and better remuneration, to keep them inside Nova Scotia because it is a competitive market everywhere,” said Dr. Gehad Gobran.

Jayabarathan says there is some hope with the possibility of more international recruitment. She says some physician assistants in the U.S. have told her personally that Nova Scotia would make a perfect home.

“What’s happening south of the border is possibly the biggest opportunity we’ve been handed,” said Jayabarathan.

“So, there’s more physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians who want to move.”

Although the waitlist continues to drop, some are still struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“As of last year, our doctor, he finished his practice, and we were referred. But that doctor, who just moved to Nova Scotia, apparently he’s just maxed. I mean, it’s really bad,” said Linda Dowell.

“It’s just kind of rattling that if something did happen that I could be in the ER for who knows how long,” said Ron Davey, a Bridgewater resident.

Those without primary care could have bigger problems in the long run, with some people foregoing the risk of waiting hours in an emergency department.

“Unless it was something severe, like I had cut an artery or something like that, I probably wouldn’t go,” said Davey.

Nova Scotia Health says it will provide its next update on the Need a Family Practice Registry in early April.

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