The MLA for Queens-Shelburne is calling on the provincial government to hire more pediatricians for the South Shore.
Kim Masland was recently a part of an interagency meeting on that subject with her fellow South Shore MLAs.
The South Shore currently has access to a pediatrician one day a week, in Chester and their contract ends in this fall.
“It’s unacceptable that our children don’t have access to a pediatrician. Research tells us that the first few years of a child’s development are the most critical,” says Masland. “It’s equally unacceptable that parents have to spend unnecessary amounts of travel time and gas money when we should have one in the area.”
Another who provided clinics in Lunenburg and Queens left the area in September.
In a release, Masland called out the health authority for not posting ads for that position.
Dr. Cheryl Pugh, Western Zone physician lead for obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics, says they are actively recruiting pediatricians and calls it a ‘priority.’
CKBW Radio checked the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s website.
A position for a pediatrician in the Western Zone has been posted but it’s based in Yarmouth.
Pugh says they are developing a new model for pediatric care to try to get more coverage in the Western Zone.
The current one doesn’t include in-patient care, just clinics.
“Looking at a model that is going to be provide opportunities that are more attractive for physicians so that they stay, we need people who are happy to work, who are personally and professionally satisfied,” she says.
Pugh says they would welcome additional provincial funding to work on the issue.
“What we are attempting to do, as the Nova Scotia Health Authority is we’re attempting to provide more equitable coverage for pediatrics within the zone, planning for the health needs of the population.”
Pugh could not give a timeline on when a new model would be created.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
@BrittWentzell
