An increase in the number of newborns being referred to designated newborn clinics in the province is troubling, says the Nova Scotia NDP. The clinics, called unattached newborn clinics, were launched by Nova Scotia Health in December 2022 to provide care for newborns who do not have a family doctor or primary care provider.
Nova Scotians needing medical care took advantage of an alternative to a family practice visit 76,316 times last month — a figure the association representing physicians in the province is meeting with lukewarm praise.
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A Nova Scotia program that helps cover the cost of sensor-based glucose monitors for people with diabetes doesn't go far enough, says a Cape Breton man who was denied coverage. Steven Roberts, who has Type 2 diabetes, said he was "really pissed off" to learn he's not eligible for the program because he only requires an insulin injection once a day, instead of multiple times.
The president of Doctors Nova Scotia, the group that speaks for physicians in the province, told a legislature committee on Tuesday that virtual care is "a Band-Aid solution" to the growing number of people without regular access to a primary care team. Dr. Colin Audain said Virtual Care NS and Maple, the private company that provides basic care through a computer or mobile device, was not the answer to the problem — though he acknowledged it was better than nothing.