Nova Scotians deserve answers on health care: NDP

HALIFAX – Today at Health Committee, NSNDP MLAs pushed the Houston government to provide clear, updated information to Nova Scotians on the state of health care.

Things are not going in the right direction, according to new information released through a Freedom of Information Request that shows more infants need primary care. The number of newborns without a family doctor increased to 1,585 in 2024. That’s 22 per cent of all babies born last year, up from 16 per cent in 2023.

“A health home with a dedicated doctor, nurse practitioner, or other primary care provider following your health care isn’t just optional; it’s key to ensuring the best care for each Nova Scotian,” said NSNDP Health Critic Rod Wilson. “Nova Scotians need that resource to turn to, not a patchwork of stopgap measures they must manage themselves. Doctors and patients know that it’s often the difference between timely, appropriate care or falling through the cracks.”

In the last year, the Houston government has stopped reporting details of who is on the family practice waitlist, removed historic information about the waitlist from their website, and cancelled the annual ER accountability report.

“People deserve to know what’s going on and what they can expect when it comes to getting care in our province. Updated Family Practice Registry numbers released last week fail to give Nova Scotians a clear understanding of how many people joined the list, where in the province they live, or why they need care,” said NSNDP MLA Lisa Lachance. “Primary health care is the backbone of our health care system. Right now, tens of thousands of Nova Scotians are without that essential care, and the Houston government isn’t answering their questions.”

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