A Dartmouth woman has fallen victim to a perfect storm created by Nova Scotia’s ongoing health-care issues.
Following a visit to Dartmouth General last month, Jeannette Moore was informed that she had a “football-sized” growth forming in her lower abdomen. She was told the situation was urgent and was asked to return to the hospital for a followup appointment the next day.
“I went down the next day for a CAT scan because I had an ultrasound the day before. They said it was a large mass, they sent me to an oncologist the following week and she told me it would be two weeks for an MRI,” said Moore.
“It has been one month and four days. I call the office every day.”
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To make matters worse, Moore’s longtime family doctor, Dr. Vojtech Gregus, is retiring next week.
“God love him, he’s been our family doctor for years, he’s part of our family. But there’s nothing set up.”
On Friday, Moore and her daughter went to Dartmouth Medical Centre to try to pick up her files but said she has no idea where to bring them next.
“It’s scary because you’re dealing with the unknown. They tell me its cancer but there have been no tests, no biopsies, nothing. All I know is I have a huge mass and they’re making me wait and wait.”
She said she looked into getting the MRI done at a private clinic, however that would cost anywhere between $900 and $1,800.
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Moore’s situation was brought up by NDP MLA Susan Leblanc during Thursday’s Question Period.
According to Doctors Nova Scotia’s Physician Resource Planning, the province needs to recruit 100 physicians a year for the next ten years to deal with retirements and the aging population.
“The most important thing, I think, we have to understand is that primary care is the foundation of our health-care system,” said Dr. Manoj Vohra, president of Doctors Nova Scotia.
“We need to resource it appropriately and we need to get physicians to want to come and stay in Nova Scotia.”
Dr. Vohra said it’s also important to find interim solutions to ensure patients are getting the health care they need.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to the Health Authority in the past about a transition clinic perhaps. And what is this clinic? It’s where those patients who need us the most can get continuity care,” said Dr. Vohra.
“You may not have one family doctor, but you have access to a home that you can actually be followed through so that they don’t feel that they’re lost in the system.”
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In a statement from the Nova Scotia Health Authority, they said:
“We acknowledge it’s a worry for those who don’t have access to primary care and don’t have ongoing support in managing their health or getting the care they need. We know about this vacancy and are actively recruiting to fill it and others in the area.”
They said as of October 1, 4,331 people have found a family doctor through the Need a Family Practice.
There are still 37,339 people registered on the waiting list.
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