Nova Scotia's family doctor waitlist has decreased by more than 2,000 patients, according to the latest figures released by the province. As of July 2026, approximately 140,000 residents remain without a primary care provider, down from 142,000 earlier this year.
Multidisciplinary teams driving progress
The reduction is attributed to the province's strategy of expanding collaborative family practice teams, which include doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and social workers. Health Minister Michelle Thompson stated, "Every Nova Scotian who finds a family doctor is a step closer to better health outcomes. We're seeing the impact of our investments in team-based care."
Since launching the initiative in 2023, the government has added 50 new collaborative practices, serving over 30,000 patients. The decrease in the waitlist represents a 1.4% improvement over the previous quarter.
Challenges remain
Despite the progress, the waitlist still includes about 14% of the province's population. The Nova Scotia Health Authority continues to recruit physicians, with 85 new family doctors licensed in the past year. However, retirements and relocations have offset some gains.
Dr. Colin Audain, president of Doctors Nova Scotia, noted, "While this decline is welcome, we need sustained efforts to address the root causes of the shortage, including physician burnout and administrative burdens."
Patient perspectives
Patients on the waitlist have expressed cautious optimism. Halifax resident Sarah MacLeod, who has been waiting for 18 months, said, "It's encouraging to see the numbers dropping, but I hope it means I'll get a call soon." The province aims to connect all residents with a primary care provider by 2030.
