These papers demonstrate physician leadership, facilitate conversations about health-care topics and help improve our health system. The papers include recommendations on and solutions to a wide range of health-care issues.
Position papers are developed with extensive help from the physicians who make up the Policy and Health Issues Committee (PHIC). When required, PHIC members consult with other groups and experts, including the Section of Primary Care Physicians’ Representative Council, the E-Health Committee, the Section Forum, the Section of Senior and Retired Doctors, and physician subject matter experts. The positions are then reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.
Positions are sometimes updated as issues evolve. Position statements that are no longer relevant are removed from the website.
Optimizing Health Homes: Recommendations for enhancing the benefits of health homes in Nova Scotia (2026)
Doctors Nova Scotia made 10 recommendations to support the optimization of health homes, so Nova Scotians have not only a family physician, but also access to timely and continuous primary care throughout their life. Read more
Harm Reduction for People Who Use(d) Drugs (2023)
Harm reduction care is an essential aspect of health care in Nova Scotia. Physicians should be supported in their work to offer harm reduction care to their patients. Read more
Abortion Rights and Access (2022)
Abortions must continue to be part of comprehensive health services offered in Nova Scotia and should be low-barrier for all. Read more
The Backbone of Primary Health Care: The role and value of family physicians in Nova Scotia (2019)
Family physicians are not better than other providers; they are different from other providers. And they are essential to an effective primary health care system. Read more
E-cigarettes (2019)
Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) endorsed the Canadian Cancer Society’s position, which calls on the Government of Nova Scotia to amend the Tobacco Access Act to prohibit the sale of all tobacco and e-cigarette products to people under the age of 21 in Nova Scotia. Read more
Legalizing cannabis (2018)
Doctors Nova Scotia released a position statement on the legalization of cannabis in the province which makes six recommendations aimed at minimizing the harms associated with cannabis use. Read more
Palliative care (2018)
Doctors Nova Scotia has 10 recommendations to improve palliative care in Nova Scotia. Read more
Road Map to a Stable Physician Workforce (2018)
Together, Doctors Nova Scotia, Maritime Resident Doctors and the Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society make six recommendations for immediate action to strengthen the physician workforce. Read more
Primary care renewal (2017)
The association made 11 recommendations to the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Department of Health and Wellness to help improve primary care for Nova Scotians. Read more
Physician engagement (2017)
Doctors Nova Scotia made recommendations for ways that the association, its members and health-system partners can ensure meaningful physician engagement. Read more