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Why There Are Waits
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Increasing Demand for Services and Care
In Nova Scotia, one in seven people is over the age of 65. In fact, by 2020, we estimate that one-third of Nova Scotians will be seniors.
People are living longer and that means that more people are seeking medical attention than ever. As well, there is increased need for more complex care as more individuals seek care for more than one condition. For instance, a person may have high blood pressure, heart problems, and joint problems, all requiring medical attention.
This results in more demand for some tests, treatments, and services.
More Tests and Services Available
Today, we are able to offer a greater variety of health services than ever before. New technologies, tests, and treatments are always coming on stream. This makes it challenging to offer all health tests, treatment, and service options across the province.
Also, technology is expensive and this growing cost is considered when deciding the number and types of services than can be offered across the province.
Recruitment Challenges – Healthcare Professionals
Finding and keeping the right mix of healthcare professionals across the province is difficult.
For instance, when we increase the number of MRIs in the province, we must also make sure that we have the right number of professionals to provide the service.
Getting and keeping healthcare professionals is particularly hard in rural Nova Scotia. This is something that can affect the services offered in an area.
Nova Scotia is committed to training, recruiting, and retaining the right number of healthcare professionals not only to improve wait times, but to offer the best care possible.
Lack of Standardized Information
One of the first steps needed to improve wait times is getting accurate information on wait times for tests, treatments, and services across the province.
To tackle this, Nova Scotia established a committee to recommend what processes are required to collect and report standardized information on wait times. Information that can be compared from one place to the next.
The province is acting on committee recommendations and some standard wait time information is now available online.
Increasing Rates of Illness and Chronic Conditions
Nova Scotia has the highest rate of death from cancer and the second most highest rate of diabetes in the country. Individuals with ongoing illness or chronic conditions, on average, usually need to seek more care.
For instance, medical care costs for people with chronic conditions account for 60 per cent of total medical care expenditures, or $1.2 billion a year in Nova Scotia. Combining direct medical costs and indirect productivity costs, it is estimated that chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or arthritis, cost Nova Scotia taxpayers more than $3 billion a year.
Recent reports show that Nova Scotians are the second obese in the country. Obesity can lead to a number of ongoing health problems such as the need for hip and knee replacements, an area with a high wait list.
By not smoking, eating well, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and not abusing alcohol, we can prevent the majority of major chronic diseases that reduce our quality of life and contribute to wait times.
Equipment Availability
Even with the best maintenance programs and ongoing funding, sometimes healthcare diagnostic equipment is unexpectedly unavailable making it necessary to reschedule patients' tests at a later date or at a different facility. This can cause a ripple in the system that affects the time other people are waiting for the same diagnostic test. This is especially the case when the equipment is in high demand or when it needs a replacement part that is not readily available.
Missed Healthcare Appointments
The amount of time Nova Scotians wait for healthcare appointments is directly impacted by people missing scheduled appointments without providing sufficient notice.
If you are unable to make a scheduled appointment, please let your healthcare provider know at least 48 hours in advance, or as early as possible. The more notice you provide, the greater the likelihood that the healthcare provider will be able to fill your appointment with someone like you who is waiting for care.
- What You Can Do to Help Improve Wait Times (PDF: 35K)
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This page and all contents Crown copyright © 2006, Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. Comments to: DOHWEB@gov.ns.ca /2005-October-06.