Summary#
The bill would create a legal right to primary care for every Nova Scotia resident in the region where they live. It would require the Minister of Health and Wellness to work toward attaching all residents to an ongoing primary care provider or team. It would also require monthly public reports about people waiting for a family practice.
- Primary care would need to be ongoing, broad, coordinated and focused on patients’ needs.
- The government would work toward universal attachment, meaning every resident has an ongoing connection to primary care.
- Monthly reports would show how many people are waiting for a family practice.
- Reports would include information by health zone and community.
- Reports would explain why people leave the registry, such as moving, dying or being connected with a provider.
What it means for you#
- Residents without a family practice: The bill would recognize a right to primary care in the region where you live. The bill does not clearly explain how this right could be enforced or what remedy would be available if care is not provided.
- People on the registry: The government would publish monthly information about the number of people needing a family practice, waiting to register or waiting to be attached to one.
- Patients: Primary care would be expected to include a broad range of services, such as prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. It would also be expected to help patients understand their choices and take part in their care.
- Residents and communities: Public reports would show registry numbers by health zone and community. The bill does not require the publication of personal information.
- Health-care providers: Providers or provider teams would be expected to deliver care on an ongoing basis, although the bill does not set out specific staffing levels, service standards or payment rules.
- Government: The Minister would be responsible for working toward universal attachment and preparing the monthly reports.
Expenses#
The bill may increase administrative and reporting costs, but no estimate is available.
- The Department of Health and Wellness or the Nova Scotia Health Authority would need to prepare, organize and publish monthly registry reports.
- Working toward universal attachment could require additional health-care staff, clinics, information systems or other resources.
- The bill does not identify direct funding, new fees, savings or penalties.
- No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
- The bill appears intended to improve access to primary care for residents who do not have a family practice.
- A possible argument for the bill is that an ongoing connection with a provider or care team could make care more continuous and coordinated.
- Defining primary care to include prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care could support a broader range of patient needs.
- Public monthly reporting could make wait-list trends and differences between communities easier to track.
- Publishing reasons why people leave the registry could provide a clearer picture of whether people are receiving care, moving or being removed for another reason.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is that the bill creates a right to primary care but does not explain how residents could enforce that right if they remain unattached.
- It is unclear whether the government would have enough providers, clinics and funding to reach and maintain universal attachment.
- The bill does not set a deadline for reaching universal attachment or specify a minimum level of service.
- Monthly reports could show the size and location of the registry, but they may not by themselves reduce wait times or create more appointments.
- A possible trade-off is that preparing detailed monthly reports could increase administrative work for the health system.
- The bill does not clearly explain how the government would decide which residents are attached to a provider, or how often people’s attachment would be reviewed.