Health-care Wait Time Information Shared with Nova Scotians

Nova Scotians now have access to more information to help them, and their health-care providers, make decisions about their testing and treatment options.

A new website launched today, Oct. 7, by Health Minister Angus MacIsaac, provides provincial health-care wait times for tests, treatments and services.

The wait times website uses interactive maps and charts to provide information on the times people have to wait for appointments. The information is provided by health care facility, within the nine district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre.

Health Minister Angus MacIsaac said this is the first time this information has been available to Nova Scotians, health-care providers and the province.

"Up until now, it has been very difficult to implement and co-ordinate a process to shorten waits because we did not have accurate, reliable provincewide information," said Mr. MacIsaac. "The information shared today provides the evidence we need to effectively identify barriers to timely care, so that we can put the right measures in place to address them. We will continue to share provincial wait-time information as it becomes available."

Nova Scotians are being encouraged to speak with doctors about the wait time information on the website to see if receiving care in a location with shorter waits is an option for them. For some, using this information will lead to faster care.

"Being transparent with the waits lists our patients are currently experiencing is an important first step," said Dr. Romesh Shukla, president of Doctors Nova Scotia. "Not only will this information be useful to health-care providers and patients, but it will also provide health-care decision makers with important information needed to address the wait lists in Nova Scotia."

The website is part of the province's overall, long-term strategy to improve wait times for health services across the province. "We are seeing results from our wait times strategy, but we have a long way to go," Mr. MacIsaac said. "It is only by working together that we -- government, health-care providers and Nova Scotians -- can continue to build a better, more responsive health system that provides timely access to health-care tests, treatments, and services."

The website also consolidates information on health-care waits, including the government's plan to improve wait times and its progress to date.

Nova Scotians can seek treatment or a test anywhere in Nova Scotia where it's available. For the most part, the only people to receive care faster than those with scheduled appointments are those with a greater care need at the time.

The health-care wait times provided on the site are for scheduled appointments only. People requiring immediate care are not placed on a wait list. Emergency services continue to be available.

Nova Scotia's wait times website can be accessed at www.gov.ns.ca/health/waittimes .

Nova Scotians without Internet access can get the same wait time information by calling Access Nova Scotia at 902-424-5200 or toll free at 1-800-670-4357.