Some Nova Scotia residents are taking it upon themselves to address health care concerns in their area.
The Digby Area Health Coalition has seen a lack of family practioners, an overburdened emergency department, long travel times for patients and the inability to receive continuous care .
Coordinator Tony Kelly says these, among other reasons, show health care in the area has deteriorated significantly over the past number of governments.
“The story is complex and it’s long in the tooth and we want to try to formulate that as a coherent story, if such a thing is possible given the nature of health care in the province.”
The coalition conducted a series of meeting and interviews with residents, doctors and health care professionals in the area.
The results show residents are lacking access to primary care and healthcare professionals are burning out under the increasing burden to meet the needs of the community.
Coordinator Tony Kelly says they need reinforcements.
“We think there should be – based on the Canadian Medical Association guidelines – upwards of eight to twelve full-time practicing GPs between the Weymouth area and the Annapolis area.”
Kelly sees the report as a first step in the effort to improve access to health care.
