Environmental Scan - Government of Nova Scotia

−−−−−−−−−−Physician Resource PlanningAn Environmental ScanRural communities have ongoing shortages of primary care physicians; 96% of residents have afamily physician but still a challenge of accessOphthalmology is based in Glace BayPlastic Surgery, Dental Surgery, and Orthopaedic endoscopy based in New WaterfordOtolaryngology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, and Urology based in NorthsideRemaining specialties are based in the regional hospital in SydneyDialysis unit could not be sustained in the absence of a vascular surgeon in SydneyNeurosurgeon is within two years of retirement; there are no plans to replace himSignificant is the absence of a full-time Medical Officer of Health – at the time of merger, 12 yearsago, there were two but recruitment has been unsuccessful – this represents a significant physicianresource gap and forces public health initiatives to be reactive rather than proactiveAddiction and mental health services are now a single program – 14 Psychiatrists (not all hospitalbased)– further support by locum tenens, social workers, psychologists – Psychiatrists provide amodest travel program and also utilize telemedicineTwo regional methadone clinics – most drug abuse is outside SydneySupplementary Documents1. 2008 Our Health2. 2011 Physician Resource Plan3. Cardiovascular Health Indicators ReportBackground DataFigure 135 DHA8 - Hospitals by County – Total Days Stay (LOS) and change in RIW – 2005-2010 (Source: NS Hospital Discharge Data)Submission(s) - CBDHAAs with AVH, CBDHA has recently completed a physician resource plan 55 . The left hand figure isprovided by CBDHA. The right hand figure is per the Consultant data FTE analysis using 2009/10 data.The values are quite comparable.55 CBHA Physician Resource Plan, July 2011168 | Page Social Sector Metrics Inc. & Health Intelligence Inc. | 12/31/2011