Doctors Nova Scotia is speaking out after a woman’s emotional video made her the face of the doctors shortage.
Thirty-three-year-old Inez Rudderham’s she called out the province over her lack of family doctor after her cancer went undiagnosed for two years.
She’s now undergoing radiation therapy.
President-elect of Doctors NS, Dr. Gary Ernest says Rudderham didn’t fall through the cracks – there are huge gaps in the system.
“It’s a sad story, it upsets us as physicians to hear somebody with a story like that,” he says.
“It’s not a unique story, these stories will continue,” he adds.
He says cancer diagnoses can’t be dealt with in the Emergency Room.
Although government has shied away from using the term ‘crisis,’ Ernest says that’s exactly what the situation is.
“I wouldn’t even call it slipping between the cracks, I would say it’s a sign of huge gaps more than cracks in the primary care system.”
Ernest says the situation will not get better until the province takes better steps to recruit doctors.
Out of all of the Canadian provinces, Ernest says Nova Scotia pays its physicians the lowest wages.
He says there are also issues with morale and the relationship between the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and doctors.
“The docs feel their work is not appreciated by the Department of Health and the NSHA,” he says. “They feel their efforts at trying to become involved in making and influencing healthcare decisions is not welcomed.”
Ernest says something needs to happen soon, as half of Nova Scotia’s doctors are over 50 and will be looking at retirement.
Contributed photo.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
