The number of Nova Scotians without a family doctor continues to climb.
The latest figures from Public Health show over 160,000 are on the need-a-family-practice waitlist.
That’s over 16 percent of the population.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson says the list is growing as more people move to the province.
“We also know that we have a number of retirements among physicians. We do have a number of family practice physicians and nurse practitioners that we’ve recruited in the past year,” said Thompson.
She adds those on the list are able to access care virtually, through pharmacies and mobile clinics.
The list grew by nearly 1,900 people in May.
Thompson acknowledges there is a global shortage of family physicians, and they’re working hard to bring more doctors here.
“We’ve opened up more seats for post-secondary education, but it takes time to train physicians. In the meantime we build these health homes within neighbourhoods, and the technology we’ve invested in will help make sure people’s health records are stored in one, singular place.”
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