ER closures and doctor retention in Nova Scotia were at the centre of the discussion during Tuesday’s standing committee on health meeting. The provincial committee heard from Nova Scotia Health on updates and challenges in the current healthcare system.
President of Doctors Nova Scotia Dr. Colin Audain said the province is facing difficulties when it comes to retention. Physicians facing burnouts are at an “all time high” Audain said.
“Physicians and nursing shortages are the primary reason emergency departments close.”
Family physician shortages and a national shortage of emergency medicine physicians make recruitment challenging as well, Audain said.
Hospitals in rural Nova Scotia such as Guysborough Memorial Hospital and Soldiers Memorial Hospital are struggling to keep their emergency rooms open since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Nicole Boutilier said Nova Scotia Health has worked hard this year to increase access to primary health-care for those on the waitlist by providing care through virtual care, mobile clinics, urgent treatment centres and other options.
