Election 2024: Invest in primary care infrastructure and collaborative clinic implementation

Election 2024: Invest in primary care infrastructure and collaborative clinic implementation

Doctors Nova Scotia believes that physicians and other system partners must work together to create solutions for health-care issues. Investing in primary care infrastructure and collaborative clinic implementation is one of four priorities doctors will discuss with 2024 election candidates. 


Doctors Nova Scotia supports the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Patient Medical Home (PMH) and Patient Medical Neighbourhood models as the clear vision for collaborative care.  

The PMH is a model in which patients are attached to collaborative clinics of family doctors, nurses and other providers who care for them as a team. The model recognizes the critical role that family doctors and family practices play in the health-care system and enables them to deliver better health outcomes, enhance efficiency and improve quality of care. Patients see the most appropriate care provider for their needs, under the leadership of their family physician. 

Nova Scotia’s primary care leaders, health-care providers, patients and stakeholders agree that increasing the number of PMHs in the province will help stabilize primary care. Research has shown a reduction in wait times, improved coordination of care, more appropriate referrals, less duplication of services and reduced emergency department visits when using team-based primary care approaches. 

Our province must remove barriers for the successful implementation of collaborative care practices.  

Invest in infrastructure

Practice locations and size can create barriers to effective collaboration. Practices with multiple providers need more exam rooms, larger waiting areas and collaboration spaces. Existing clinics often do not have enough space to welcome new providers or to train medical students, residents and other learners. When increasing the number of collaborative clinics throughout the province, consideration must be given to how to enhance existing infrastructure and how to plan for space in new collaborative clinics.  

Develop an implementation strategy

We must transform the vision of collaborative care in Nova Scotia into a realistic implementation plan so we can make the vision a reality. Health-care provider associations, colleges and regulatory bodies must collaborate with government stakeholders on the development of this implementation plan.  

Other priorities

Retain our physician workforce

Our province must collectively turn our efforts toward creating a supportive transition into practice. This will help maximize the investments being made to recruit doctors to Nova Scotia by ensuring physicians have a good experience here and decide to stay long term. Learn more 

Prioritize physician wellness

Our province must invest in physician wellness. Continuing to reduce unnecessary physician administrative burden is one important facet of this work. Learn more 

Prioritize interoperability

Our province must continue to work toward an integrated digital Nova Scotia health system that supports physicians and is easy to access in hospital settings and in the community. Learn more

What can you do?

Talk with local candidates on these important health-care priorities. The candidates will want to hear directly from physicians as community leaders. Personal contact is the most effective form of communication.

Read the health care platforms for the three main political parties before meeting with candidates:

  • Liberal plan
  • NDP plan (not yet released)
  • PC plan (not yet released)  

Resources to support your advocacy 

Investment in primary care infrastructure and collaborative clinic implementation is one of four priorities Doctors Nova Scotia will discuss with 2024 election candidates. Doctors Nova Scotia believes that physicians and other system partners must work together to create solutions for health-care issues.

Contact

Katie Mallam
Director, policy and physician wellness initiatives
902-237-7061
1-800-563-3427