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Every Nova Scotian to have family doctor within three years: health minister

Click to play video: 'Health Minister says every Nova Scotian to have family doctor within three years'
Health Minister says every Nova Scotian to have family doctor within three years
WATCH ABOVE: Nova Scotia Health Minister Leo Glavine told reporters Thursday that it will take another two to three years to fulfill a pledge of ensuring every Nova Scotian has access to a family doctor. – Apr 6, 2017

Nova Scotia’s Liberal government appeared to backed away Thursday from an election campaign promise to ensure every Nova Scotian has access to a family doctor.

READ MORE: Halifax-area doctor says province neglecting shortage of family physicians in HRM

Now into the fourth year of their mandate, the Liberals are now saying it will take another two or three years to fulfil that pledge, which will take them beyond the next election – expected later this year.

Health Minister Leo Glavine said the Nova Scotia Health Authority is developing 42 collaborative care clinics to get the job done. However, based on recruitment levels, reaching the government’s goal will take more time, he said.

“(In) two to three years, Nova Scotians who want a primary-care provider, that will be available to us because it won’t be just a doctor, it will be a team providing care with the doctor,” Glavine said following a cabinet meeting in Halifax.

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The Liberal government promised during their 2013 election campaign that every Nova Scotian would have a doctor one year after they assumed power.

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WATCH: Despite a Liberal promise for a family doctor for every Nova Scotian, the latest numbers show more than one in 10 don’t have one. Marieke Walsh reports on the concerns of one Halifax resident who isn’t getting regular medical care.

Click to play video: 'Finding a family doctor in Nova Scotia not getting easier: StatsCan'
Finding a family doctor in Nova Scotia not getting easier: StatsCan

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the government has broken that promise.

“That promise was made three-and-a-half years ago. The situation has gotten worse since … 100,000 people without a doctor is a crisis now, not three years from now,” said Baillie. “The McNeil government has no credibility on this issue anymore.”

NDP Leader Gary Burrill said the government focused on merging the province’s health districts into the Nova Scotia Health Authority rather than making good on their key election promise.

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“It doesn’t indicate a very strong hand on the wheel and it also indicates to me just completely upside priorities,” said Burrill. “This was clearly a priority for people.”

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