Pressing the Premier on Primary Care on Nova Scotia - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, the primary care situation in this province is becoming desperate. Nova Scotia Health says that of the 12 family doctors in the province who have resigned in the last 14 months, with a combined caseload of 13,600, one vacancy has been filled. Last week, when asked about the shortage of family doctors, the Premier said, "As the world changes, the health care system has to change."
Mr. Speaker, people need primary care that they can count on. This government has left them waiting. Is this the kind of change that the Premier had in mind?
THE PREMIER « » : I certainly don't know about the number of statistics. I do know that we've recruited 148 doctors this year. That's a net gain in the range of 74.
We know that there are issues with retirements. We know we have to be respectful of those who have been providing care to their communities and who want to retire. They should be allowed to retire without making them feel guilty about retiring.
What I would say to the member is that the change that we're talking about is the evolving world of how people access care. We're talking about virtual care now. That's something new that wouldn't have been talked about, certainly not under the prior government, five or - this is the way the world is changing. Mobile clinics, pharmacy clinics - these are all positive changes. There's a lot of work to be done . . .
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Last week the Premier also said, "The old days where you had a doctor when you were born and that was the doctor through your life who delivered your own children are over. We need to move forward and accept that the world is changing."
We agree. We believe that all Nova Scotians should have a family practice: a place that they can call for an appointment or for medical advice, where their file lives and is followed and updated - a collaborative health team. But investment in these teams in this budget is paltry compared to the need.
Mr. Speaker, will the Premier commit to ensuring that all Nova Scotians without consistent care get access to a family health team that they can count on?
THE PREMIER « » : That's certainly the goal in Nova Scotia, Mr. Speaker. It was the goal I heard on the campaign trail in P.E.I. It's the goal of all Canadians.
We know that the evolution is away from that family doctor you had your entire life. The world is changing, and we have to accept that. We can't fight that. It is evolving toward a health home - yes, absolutely, where you are part of a health home and you get the care that you need at that time. It might be a doctor. It might be a nurse practitioner. It could be a physician's assistant. It could be a registered nurse. It could be a family practice. It could be a psychologist.
But yes, absolutely, we want Nova Scotians to have care. That's why we're in this position. It's to make sure that we fix health care.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : And yet we don't hear this government talk about these health homes.
Mr. Speaker, last week the Premier also said, "Virtual care is not for everything, but it is just what the doctor ordered for a number of things."
Virtual care has a place in health care, but it is not what the doctor ordered for someone who needs their medication adjusted, someone with a cancer diagnosis, or someone with a complicated pregnancy. These people - all people - need a family health team that can follow their condition. This government has not invested in making that happen and barely mentions it.
Mr. Speaker, will the Premier commit to having access to a family health team for all Nova Scotians by 2025?
THE PREMIER « » : I don't know if we're now debating the merits of the role of virtual care or not, but I will stand very firmly in my place and say that there is a role for virtual care. There is a role for pharmacy clinics. There is a role for mobile clinics. There is a role for the spectrum of allied health care professionals.
That's why we want to expand their scope. That's why we want to work with them and give them an opportunity to be here.
If the member didn't hear talk about a health home - I think that the Minister of Health and Wellness stood in this Chamber for 20 hours answering questions. If they didn't hear about it, it's because they didn't ask, Mr. Speaker.