Nova Scotia Health is close to achieving its goal of reducing the provincial surgical waitlist by 10,000 people by mid-2025, a vow made by interim head Karen Oldfield in late 2022. As of April 1, 2025, the waitlist stood at 15,769, down from 22,000 in December 2022. This progress is attributed to focus, discipline, and improved staffing levels post-COVID-19, though Oldfield notes more surgeries could occur during off-hours if staffing permits.
Nova Scotia Health approaching goal of reduced surgical waitlist
Nova ScotiaHealthSurgical proceduresAccess to health care
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Nova Scotia Health is close to achieving its goal of reducing the provincial surgical waitlist by 10,000 people by mid-2025, a vow made by interim head Karen Oldfield in late 2022. As of April 1, 2025, the waitlist stood at 15,769, down from 22,000 in December 2022. This progress is attributed to focus, discipline, and improved staffing levels post-COVID-19, though Oldfield notes more surgeries could occur during off-hours if staffing permits.
- 1 December 2022: Karen Oldfield vowed to reduce the surgical backlog by 10,000 people by mid-2025 (waitlist ~22,000).
- 2 2023: Health authority announced premium for doctors working off-hours.
- 3 April 1, 2023: Waitlist at 19,917 people.
- 4 April 1, 2024: Waitlist at 17,369 people.
- 5 April 1, 2025: Waitlist at 15,769 people.
- 6 Friday (June 6): Karen Oldfield states they are 1,500 surgeries away from an appropriate waitlist.
- Significant reduction in surgical wait times in Nova Scotia
- Improved access to health care
- Potential for further reductions if off-hours surgeries increase
What: Nova Scotia Health is nearing its goal of reducing the provincial surgical waitlist by 10,000 people, a target set by interim head Karen Oldfield. The waitlist has decreased from approximately 22,000 in December 2022 to 15,769 as of April 1, 2025, with cataract extraction, knee replacement, and hip replacement having the largest backlogs.
When: Friday (June 6, 2025 - Oldfield's comments), April 1, 2025 (latest waitlist stats), April 1, 2024, April 1, 2023 (previous waitlist stats), December 2022 (Oldfield's vow).
Where: Nova Scotia, Canada, Halifax.
Why: The progress is attributed to the health authority's focus, discipline, and success in restoring staffing levels post-COVID-19 pandemic.
How: The health authority implemented a plan, including a premium for doctors working outside traditional hours (though staffing was the bigger factor), and focused on restoring staffing levels.