Gynaecology wait times are years long with no solutions in sight: NDP

HALIFAX – Today, Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender urged the Houston government to reconsider their refusal to immediately create a Women’s Health Strategy following last week’s Health Committee. The Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the IWK told the Health Committee that people are waiting longer than they should and there were no clear answers as to how or when this situation will change.

“Women understand these issues are complex and they trusted that if the government took them seriously things would get better. But five years in, waits are still years long and people still aren’t seeing results,” said Chender. “Women want to know there’s a plan, that their needs aren’t being ignored. You can’t fix health care if you don’t fix it for everyone. Women in our province are waiting for years – missing out on work and life, and in many cases end up with worse health outcomes because it takes so long to get care.

We need a Women’s Health Strategy as a roadmap to make sure the care women and gender-diverse Nova Scotians need is there for them when they need it.”

Nova Scotians who need gynecological surgery wait nearly three times longer than other Canadians for gynecological care, and the worst surgical waits in the province are for gynecological care.

Despite this, the Houston government says a Women’s Health Strategy is not a priority.

Chender was joined by Cassidy Walker, a young woman who has been waiting to see a gynecologist at the IWK since 2019.

"It's been extremely difficult, waiting years with no answers and no access to the care I need,” said Walker. “It's exhausting, physically and emotionally: worrying day after day about my health and knowing I could have to wait years more. No one should have to go through this. Women don't need special treatment; we deserve to get the care we need."

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