Dr. Hawker interview with CTV anchor Todd Battis, skip to 36:15

The wait–list for a primary care provider in Nova Scotia has risen to another record high as the new president of Doctors Nova Scotia says her tenure will target primary care reform. There are now 94,855 people registered to find a doctor or nurse practitioner, up from 91,964 last month. The new number represents about 9.5 per cent of the population. "The number is probably even higher," said Dr. Leisha Hawker, who started her one-year term this week leading the organization that advocates for doctors.

Dr. Emmanuel Ajuwon has thought a lot about how to tackle the shortage of family physicians in this province. Recruiting more physicians gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so. But the Nigerian-born family doctor says it’s just as important to keep those who are already here. That means community engagement with, and support for, a new doctor and their family is crucial.