New Democrats have a plan to clean up the mess in primary care for all Nova Scotians

HALIFAX – Today, NDP Leader Claudia Chender announced that an NDP government will open 15 doctor clinics across the province in their first year, to clear the backlog of Nova Scotian currently on the waitlist for primary care.

While consecutive Liberal and Conservative governments have failed to prioritize primary care, New Democrats are committed to expanding doctor clinics so people can access health providers in their communities.

“The number of Nova Scotians on the waitlist for steady, reliable primary care has doubled over the last three years that Tim Houston has been in government. There are now over 145,000 people waiting for the care they deserve — that’s more than the population of all of Cape Breton,” said Chender. “The Nova Scotians I speak with tell me that they have had enough of the patchwork health-care system, the temporary Band-Aid solutions and the apps. What they need is health care they can rely on.”

Chender is promising to open 15 doctor clinics in the first year of an NDP government and to open 15 more clinics per year, over three years.

This model of care will ensure that all Nova Scotians are connected to a team of health professionals who know them and their health history.

"New Democrats know that the key to improving the system isn’t private partnerships with tech companies and shady backroom infrastructure deals,” said Chender. “That’s why we will ensure that Nova Scotians can get the health care they need, when they need it. We pioneered collaborative emergency care and with doctor clinics we’re committed to making primary care available to everyone who needs it, now.”

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