Houston government must address worsening emergency waits

HALIFAX –The most recent Emergency Departments Accountability Report shows that emergency wait times have increased at Nova Scotia Health locations last year.

The annual report also shows that more than 10 per cent of patients who visited a Nova Scotia Health emergency department left without being seen.

“These numbers are unacceptable. Nova Scotians deserve timely access to care and it’s disappointing that the Houston government has been unable to move the needle on emergency wait times,” said NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender. “This is something that the Standing Committee on Health could be discussing today, but unfortunately, the Houston government is continuing their pattern of secrecy by refusing to establish committees and answer questions about their decisions.”

NSNDP Health Spokesperson and Halifax Armdale MLA Dr. Rod Wilson said transparency is lacking in many areas of the health-care system.

“I hear from constituents often who are waiting to be attached to primary care. Many of them don’t know where they are on the list or how much longer it will take to get off the list and ensure they have care they can rely on,” said Wilson. “Nova Scotians deserve to know what this government is doing and if it’s working.”

The Standing Committee on Health typically meets on the second Tuesday of every month, but it has not met since early October. More than a month after the provincial election, the Houston government has not established when committees will resume their business.

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