ER closures continue across N.S. as shortage of physicians remains

Nova Scotia Health is reporting 11 service disruptions across the province as the area struggles with retaining doctors for the increasing demand of healthcare.

Eight of these disruptions are ER closures. That’s eight out of the province’s 37 ERs that are unable to provide service.

The province reported a 35 per cent drop in the number of hours ERs were closed in January, but closures continue in more rural areas.

At the end of that month, Canada’s health ministers met in Halifax to release a detailed report on the gaps in the nation’s healthcare systems.

The report found there is a deficit of 22,823 between supply and demand for family physicians in Canada, and only approximately 1,300 new graduates per year.

According to Nova Scotia Health, as of October 2024, over 145,000 — over a tenth of the population — were without a family doctor.

The problem is not unique to Nova Scotia.

Overnight Aug. 4 to 5, Delta, B.C.’s ER department was closed, sparking immense backlash from the city’s mayor.

“We need something more consistent insofar as ensuring the people in Delta have the ability to go to our emergency room and receive the proper services. But these on-the-spot closures are just something that is really intolerable,” Mayor George Harvie said.

Delta South MLA Ian Paton said the problem is twice as concerning in rural areas where access to health care is already hindered.

He said it is unacceptable for ER departments to not have a backup plan.

Paton said he’s heard a lot from the province on its hiring blitz of U.S.-based doctors but has yet to see much action.

N.S. is approaching the problem a little differently. N.S. Health said the province is providing financial incentives and streamlined licensing, which has led to a net gain of 187 doctors between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.