Mastodawn

bronwenjones Jan 18, 2023

#nshealth
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/virtual-care-emergency-departments-expansion-truro-pilot-dr-jan-sommers-1.6718043

Interesting, however shortage of ER physicians Canada wide. Many ER physicians haven't had true vacations in years compressing their work shifts into groups to get a week off and then paying for it on their return. ER medicine increasingly unattractive to new grads as well. So again asking overworked group to do more

N.S. is expanding virtual care for patients in the ER. Here's how it works | CBC News

In an effort to reduce wait times in emergency departments, the Nova Scotia government says it's expanding a program that allows patients with less urgent needs to see a doctor virtually.

CBC

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Rasta™ OLD Jan 18, 2023

@bronwenjones And they can claim Virtual Care is a solution but the numbers indicate thousands were trying to get on and only a few hundred getting answered.
And for those who can wait all day on the phone to get through?

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bronwenjones Jan 18, 2023

@Rasta In the ERs they are likely screened and so demand controlled.

If there are as quoted 7000 primary care interactions/appointments happening daily then the 200 spots offered a week through covered Maple Virtual care have no hope of filling demand from what amounts to 12% of the population.

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Rasta™ OLD

@bronwenjones Absolutely. And tone deaf #TimHoustonNS and other #HRMPoli Councilors are still bragging about Emerg Alerts when they don't reach the end of rural Halifax. I survived Fiona without even radio signals or wellness checks, in a community without essential services. I haven't seen #SheetHarbour emergency department open in 40 years. For Emergencies, I have to pass two Halifax Region hospitals to go to the overcrowded city. Many folks have no INTERNET yet, I am fortunate to have Fiber