Earlier this week, the province offered an update on improvements to the Need a Family Practice Registry.
A release from the government states new and improved processes include regular validation and check-ins, navigation support through an expanded team, an improvements to the health questionnaire and how it is used to support care.
Antigonish MLA and Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson
Antigonish MLA and Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson said the department began a registry validation project in June of 2024 to understand who was on the need a family practice registry and why. At the time, there were over 160,000 on the list. Since then, Thompson said, each of those people were validated or talked to or about their reasons for being on the list.
Thompson said at as of January 1, 6.3 per cent of Nova Scotians or 66,768 people are still unattached to a primary care provider, adding the department is committed to moving forward.
Beginning in April, monthly reports are set to include items such as the number of new registrants who need attachment support and reason for joining; the number of registrants attached to a primary care provider; the number of resolved registrants who no longer need attachment support; the net change in the registry; and information at the provincial, health zone and health network level as appropriate. Nova Scotia Health plans to test and refine the new format over the next two months, with basic monthly reporting continuing until April.