NOVA SCOTIA RECRUITS 33 U.S. DOCTORS AS PHYSICIAN HIRING REACHES RECORD LEVELS
From CTV News
Nova Scotia has announced a significant boost in medical staffing, hiring 278 new doctors in the calendar year ending March 31. This recruitment push aims to alleviate the province’s ongoing physician shortage.
Factoring in the 79 doctors who retired or relocated, Premier Tim Houston noted a net gain of 199 new physicians. This influx directly translates to more appointments and better access to care for residents across the province.
Among the new hires, 33 relocated from the United States. The group includes 111 family doctors and 167 specialists, representing a 10 percent improvement in the province’s physician recruitment rate compared to the previous year.
Houston highlighted that the recruitment strategy heavily promotes the expansion of Nova Scotia’s health care system. A key draw has been the new medical school at Cape Breton University, which opened in May and is set to admit 30 students annually. Showcasing the province’s healthy work-life balance and strong community ties has also been a crucial selling point for out-of-country medical professionals.
Doctors Nova Scotia President Amanda MacDonald Green praised the hiring efforts, noting that integrating health care workers into the community is vital for long-term retention.
While the new hires bring welcome relief to the approximately 60,000 Nova Scotians currently on the waitlist for a family doctor, Houston acknowledged that the work is not over. He emphasized the ongoing need for specialist recruitment, particularly in areas like women’s health and mental health.
Patients like Jim Deleski, who splits his time between Massachusetts and Sydney, Nova Scotia, highlight the urgency of the situation. Managing conditions like MS and high blood pressure without a dedicated family doctor remains a significant challenge for many residents on the provincial waitlist.
Moving forward, MacDonald Green advocates for expanding the health home care model, which integrates family physicians with nurse practitioners, social workers, and other care providers. Enhancing these collaborative models will require hiring even more doctors, a commitment the province plans to uphold.