REALITY CHECK: Gaps in care show need for women’s health strategy

HALIFAX – Following Tuesday’s Health Committee, it’s more clear than ever that women and gender-diverse Nova Scotians are being let down by the Houston government on health care.

MLAs heard from both Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK officials that women’s health care is being neglected as investments in health care are made, and that wait times for gynecological care are a huge problem. Nova Scotians who need gynecological surgery face the worst surgical wait times in the province and wait nearly three times longer than other Canadians for gynecological care.

The demand for gynecological care has increased in Nova Scotia as the population has grown. Dr. James Bentley, the Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the IWK, told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting that while they know they need more doctors, he didn’t know the number of doctors needed to address the problem.

It’s clear there is no plan to address these unacceptable gaps in care. A women's health strategy would create a roadmap to help understand and address the growing need for care and additional specialists needed to provide it. A plan is badly needed to ensure the Houston government’s spending leads to the results women and gender-diverse Nova Scotians need.

“Gynecological care is just one part of women’s health care; we have outrageous wait times that leave women living in pain and tremendous anxiety. Despite these realities, the government says a women’s health strategy is not a priority,” said NDP Leader Claudia Chender. “If we don’t have a comprehensive overview of the problems, how can the government possibly take the necessary steps to fix them? There is no good reason for the government to drag their feet on a women’s health strategy to make sure the care women need is there when they need it.”

Three-quarters of women told IWK Foundation researchers they feel their health-care needs are not being met.

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