The family physician shortage is bad everywhere in Nova Scotia. But it’s getting worse, faster in metro Halifax. In the last two years, the number of people on the "I need a family doctor" registry has exploded in Nova Scotia Health’s central zone.

Ask a Nova Scotia family doctor to name their biggest waste of time and odds are they’ll say Pharmacare, the province’s public drug insurance plan.

Jane was a health-care worker who got a back injury and was prescribed an opioid painkiller. That was the start of her descent into addiction. After the prescription ended, Jane spent 10 years seeking the drug on the street. She got into conflict with the law and experienced an overdose.

Not all doctors agree that providing people with a safe supply of the drugs they have become dependent on is an effective treatment for some people who are addicted. It is increasingly being seen as an option and studies are starting to show its effectiveness, but it is only available to a small number of patients in Nova Scotia, partly because very few doctors are willing to prescribe a safe supply.

Dr Leisha Hawker, President of Doctors Nova Scotia, are working on a strategy to offer a safe drug supply for patients with addictions.

Imagine having the results of your bloodwork, X-rays, prescriptions, and medical history available on one computerized health record that travels with you to appointments — whether in person or online — to see a family doctor or a specialist, and which will remain accessible if your doctor retires and you’re lucky enough to find another…