Not everyone feels new virtual care pilot program in Nova Scotia will work for them
There are more than 70,000 people without a family doctor in Nova Scotia, but soon people in the province will have the option to see a physician virtually.
"It's a solution, but I don't think it's good enough for everybody," says Bernie Larusic, a senior's advocate in Sydney.
Larusic adds he's concerned about the province's new plan.
The goal is to make sure every person on the wait-list for a doctor has access to care, while recruitment efforts are enhanced.
"It will fill the gap for the people who like talking on the phone. Seniors like talking on the phone, but not to doctors. They want to sit with them and the doctors holds their hand and tells them what they're doing," says Larusic.
The premier's office says if someone's health concerns can't be resolved virtually, they'll be given options for in-person care.
"I think having virtual care running for people who have no family doctors is better than nothing, but I don't think it's a complete solution," says Dr. Margaret Fraser.
The province is planning to spend $1.3 million to expand the virtual care pilot program to the health authority's central and eastern zones starting in December, after the program launched in the northern and western zones last spring.
Dr. Margaret Fraser says virtual care is good for some things, but others cannot be done over the phone.
"The physician population will have to pick up the slack on this to do these virtual visits and I think it will be difficult to find enough physicians to cover some 77,000 patients on the registry."
Fraser is hoping virtual care will help elevate pressures felt in ER departments, while others are hoping this isn't a Band-Aid solution.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.