NSNDP statement on updated doctor waitlist numbers

HALIFAX – The following is a statement from NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender on the long-awaited update to the Need a Family Practice Registry:

“Today, after more than four months of silence, the Houston government has announced that there are now 145,114 Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry. While a lower number than what was last reported in June might seem promising, the fact that such a large number of Nova Scotians are still not attached to primary care is a sad statement from a government that was elected to fix health care. Even with the latest update, the list has grown by over 70,000 since Houston was elected. Nova Scotians deserve better.

It’s still unclear what methodology the Houston government is using or where they are in the list validation process. We also didn’t get a firm commitment on if they will once again begin publicly releasing the numbers every month. Today’s announcement was just a snapshot after the list was kept hidden for months. It’s far too soon for the Houston government to say that the list is stabilizing.

While this government talks about their tech deals and innovations, thousands of Nova Scotians are going without the care they need. In order to move forward and fix health care, Nova Scotians need attachment to primary care – and today’s numbers show that far more work is needed on that front.”

-30-