If you have been following the Nova Scotia news, you’ll be aware that we have an acute shortage of doctors in our province.
Approximately 15 per cent of Nova Scotians are waiting for a family doctor or nurse practitioner, the highest tally the province has seen seen launching the Need A Family Practice Registry in 2018.
As of June 1 2023, 148,431 Nova Scotians were without a family doctor and on the provincial wait list.
There is a recruitment drive to oattract more doctors to move to Nova Scotia and between April 1 2022 and March 31 2023, 168 new doctors started practising in Nova Scotia although the actual net gain of family doctors was only 86 as 82 doctors left during the same peiod. As of July 1st 2023,Nova Scotia is missing 73 specialist and 96 family doctors across the province.
And if that wasn’t worrying enough, 55 per cent of physicians in the province are over the age of 50. The numbers show a retirement boom is looming.
The NS government has been working to increase access to primary care through mobile clinics, virtual care, urgent treatment centres and pharmacy clinics.
So how can you access primary care when you move here?
Depending on the neighbourhood you move into, visit your local family practice to see if they are taking on new patients (chances are they won’t be, but you never know).
Next, call 811 (911 if it is a medical emergency and you need immediate assistance) or visit needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca
The NEED A FAMILY PRACTICE REGISTRY is a provincial list for people without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Once you have registered here, you will be added to the provincial registry. When a primary care provider in your area is accepting new patients, the practice will either contact you directly, or Nova Scotia Health Authority will contact you.
Where to go for healthcare in Nova Scotia?
If you have an urgent health concern, your first point of call should be your family doctor or nurse practitioner (or if it is an emergency it should be 911 or your local ER)
However, if you are without a family doctor, there are several options:
811 – You can call 811 to speak with a registered nurse for healthcare advice, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Community Pharmacists: The scope of practice has changed for community pharmacistsm they can now assess and prescribe for minor ailments, including UTI’s. They can also renew prescriptions and prescribe and inject vaccines and medications. Here’s how to find an eligible pharmacy in your community.
Primary Care Clinics: These specific clinics provice primary care for people on the Need a Family Practice Registry. Appointments must be pre-booked. For clinics in your area, visit nshealth.ca/primarycareclinics
VirtualCareNS: VirtualCareNS provides people on the Need a Family Practice Registry with free online access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. For more information, visit virtualcarens.ca
Mental Health: Call the 24 hour mental health crisis line at 1-888-429-8167. You can also visit mhahelpns.ca
Emergency Care: If you have an emergency or a potentially life threatening condition, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program: To book a mammogram screening appointment, call toll free 1-800-565-0548 or visit
Well Woman Clinics: These clinics offer health services, including pap screening and health education. For locations visit nshealth.ca/well-woman-clinics
Walk in clinics are located throughout Nova Scotia. Visit Skip the Waiting Room to find walk in clinics in your area, as well as up to date schedules and contact information.
I do personally find that the ER is used inappropriately at times. Patients with minor problems take up limited emergency room (ER) resources and create backlogs. Often this is because they find great difficulty making same day appointments with a doctor, so having access to the growing number of primary care resources should hopefully prevent people with minor injuries visiting the emergency room.
It goes without saying, for life threatening emergencies contact 911 or seek attention at your nearest emergency room. http://www.nshealth.ca/emergency-departments-and-cecs-nova-scotia
I hope that this post has been able to allay your fears somewhat. The thought of not having a family doctor can be scary, but knowing that you can access health care despite not having a “regular” doctor should reassure you.
The recruitment process is still moving full speed ahead, so hopefully new doctors will be making their way into practices and taking new patients in the very near future. Fingers crossed.
As always, please reach out if I can answer any of your questions.
Jane
Quibbles with your cons:
I’m guessing you came from England, because you spell “tyre” funny! You can at least get direct flights to London, as long as you don’t mind that for a good part of the year it’s only two flights a week. And if you do have to go West first, there’s probably nowhere that you can get to from Toronto that you can’t reach from Montreal, so it’s often better to fly through Montreal.
Shopping? I’m guessing your definition of shopping is different from mine as I can get anything I want, but I came to Halifax in 2000, and I haven’t really seen a change. I think you’ve just learned where to find things in 10 years.
But the taxes! I’ve made the opposite move: I’m living and working in Plymouth, UK, and I STILL got hit with a $6,000 tax bill by the Canadian/NS governments last year after paying my UK taxes.
Good points Derek. Thanks for the comments.
Hello Jane,
I appreciate your public welfare interest on gathering information for newbies.
I am Pravi, from India. We are almost at the closest to receive our PPR from Nova Scotia in a month or so. I have a toddler (just an year old) and it’s totally different how we bring up baby here. He doesn’t know to self feed and 99.9999 I chase him and force feed the mashed food.
Apart from that, my husband will quit his job and come over to find a new one where his job demand in NS is 0.01 . I am on my maternity leave still and would like to get back to work (scared to live baby in day care) as he was never parted from me since birth.
And u know we come from one of a hottest country and should get our winter wears *** on our budget***
And I truly believe in a French concept of eat to seasons and eat own land food. I would like to hear some great native healthy (I am a freak) food / fruits, veggies, cereals and pulses for baby and us.
I have a lot more ????s but I don’t wanna press you with tons of questions in one time.
Hi I am a retired Police Officer from Chicago Illinois, looking for a quiet and peaceful place to live out my life, I do like to go out and meet people and socialize. I scuba dive, do metal detecting and I am an active person, Do you think I can fit in there and how will the people respond to an American. Regardless of your answer I will be coming there for an extended vacation and we will see where it go’s from there, Thank you for any information that you could provide me. Dennis J. Walker
Hi Dennis.
I think you have the right idea coming to Nova Scotia for an extended vacation. The province is very diverse but one thing that remains constant throughout the province is the friendliness of its people. You will have absolutely no problem being welcomed.
Many communities, particularly within the Halifax area have a great selection of recreation activities. Have a look at http://www.Halifax.ca and in particular, the Recreation tab, as it will give you an idea of what is available here. There are plenty of opportunities for getting outside all season, with many guided hikes and walks. It’s a great province to live and enjoy but you will have to see it for yourself and find an area that you like and can see yourself living in.
All the best,
Jane
Hi there!
My wife and I live in Ontario and are considering moving somewhere in the Maritime provinces. A neighbour brought up house insurance, stating that it was more expensive and the difference in our mortgage would be lost to higher insurance rates. I can’t find any info online, so do you mind if I ask what it is you pay for the year out here? Thanks, and great blog!
Hi Nathan!
We pay roughly $900 per year on our home insurance which covers sewage backup and septic. Hope this helps.
Jane
Hi Richard
My wife and I and 3kids are looking to move to Nova Scotia from New Zealand (I moved from the U.K. 13yrs ago) I am a mechanic by trade have been for about 22yrs plus my wife is a youth worker in Salvation Army. We have been looking for about 2yrs and are keen to try because why not. What are the job opportunities like I would like to be by the coast being a surfer. But not a big deal.
Thanks for reading
Sam and sarah
Hi Sam and Sarah
Thanks for getting in touch. That will be quite the move! Our economy here for skilled trades people is very strong and just the other week I was contacted by 2 clients looking to move here as their husbands have got jobs here and they are moving from Winnipeg. I am fairly sure they are mechanics as well. By the coast will be tough as most jobs are in Halifax or Dartmouth and not close to the coast and therefore surfing. However, you can choose to be close to the ocean and live there and it will be an easy 30 minute commute.
If you want more information you can always email with specifics and we will reply back that way 🙂
Hi there – I grew up on the South Shore, but left after University and have been on the West Coast for over 20 years. We’re considering moving back – the West has become too busy, too expensive and we’re looking for a slower pace of life. We have children who will be entering junior high / high school in the coming years. We’re looking for rankings of schools in the HRM. Do you know where we can find them?
Hi Jane,
Apologies for the delay in replying to your request. I just came across your message in my spam folder. Sorry.
Halifax Centre for Education does not publish a school ranking list. You can look at individual neighbourhoods and read the reports on each school but its usually a “word of mouth” recommendation that people tend to use.
Hope this helps!
Jane
PS. You can have a look at Richard’s website http://www.richardpayne.ca as he has a neighbourhood guide featuring all the communities as well as the schools. Hopefully it will provide you with some solid information. Cheers!
Hi Richard,
we currently live in Mississauga, Ontario and are thinking about moving to NS. Can you please tell me which neighbourhoods, countires areas etc are good safe areas please? Also please can you tell me about the quality of well water and the septic tank situation? Last 2 questions for now:: how about the mozzies and black fly problems? How bad is winter really?
Sorry one more question: do you sell real estate all over NS?
Many thanks
Celeste
Hi Celeste,
Thanks for your message. On my website, I have a list of all the neighbourhoods in the Halifax area that may be of some use to you. You can check it out at http://www.richardpayne.ca There are plenty of neighbourhoods that are very safe, it’s really more about what type of neighbourhood will suit you and your needs. T
The well water varies from community to community. Ours is excellent, with a high flow rate, we’ve never had a problem. Septic tank is usual in the more rural areas, again it is determined by the community you choose but any issues will be picked up on inspection prior to purchase. As far as mozzies and black fly – we do have them but they are manageable. Black fly season is not my favourite as they really love me, but I know it’s only a 6 week period that I have to put up with them.
My team and I do cover all of NS.
Hope this helps answer your questions!
Best of luck!
I have gotten a job in Halifax and will leave my family behind in Ontario until I find a house. I am so nervous but want to do this to be closer to my son, his wife and new grandbaby. Any words of comfort?
Hi Kim. Jane here. It is so hard leaving family behind but it can also be such an exciting time, especially being closer to family here…and a new grandbaby! Starting a new job will keep you busy and the people of Halifax are so very welcoming and kind. I think you will love it. Just be patient with yourself and know that everyone who moves away has nervous jitters but once you get settled they disappear. Best of luck with everything! Give us a shout when you are in a position to bring your family here and Rich can chat with you about neighbourhoods and types of housing that would work for you all! Kind regards. Jane
Jolana September 24, 2019
I am Canadian but have been living in the US for 20 years, I am widowed now and ready to return to Canada. Lived in Vancouver and the west coast most of my life but it is too expensive now. My sister and brother still live there. I am hoping to move to Truro area in April 2020 and have my 2 dogs and my son and wife and grandchildren are considering following me up once I am established. My son is Canadian but his wife is a US citizen. I know it will take a few months to get settled and have never lived in the maritimes but love the ocean so that’s why I chose the area! I see really cheap multi family houses that need work. Is that even feasible for us?
Hello Jolana,
Firstly huge apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We have had big problems receiving emails hence the delay. The West Coast of Canada is really beautiful but so overpriced. As a Canadian citizen, you will have no problem moving to the East Coast. It is a wonderful place to live and the people are just incredible, with a real sense of community. It is a completely feasible move for you and Truro is a good central location, just under an hour from Halifax. If you are still considering a move, please keep in touch and nearer the time, Richard can set you up on a list to view properties that may be a good fit for you.
Again, apologies for the delay.
Thanks for reaching out.
Best wishes,
Jane
Hi Richard, We are living in Lahore, Pakistan. My Canadian immigration application is in process through Express Entry System and I have been invited to apply for Nomination and these days my application of Nomination is in process. During this process, I received an email with the instructions to provide my efforts to establish my connections with the community of Nova Scotia. I have collected many useful information and got registered with different websites like ISANS, Resources Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Center for Education. In the same context, I want your guidance for the future education of my kids, I have four daughters and their ages are between 9 to 3 years.
I will remain thankful for your guidance.
Hello Ghulam
Thank you for your message. It looks like you have already been very active in obtaining all the information you will be needing for landing here. With regards to the education system for your children, you can choose the public schools (HRCE) or private schools. The public school system, in my opinion, is very good here. We have had great success putting our children through it. It will all boil down to where you choose to move to as unfortunately, some schools are “better” than others. Children attend Elementary School up until Grade 6 (usually 11 years of age) and then move onto Junior High School (usually for Grades 7,8 and 9 but in our area, for example it is just for grades 7 and 8 ) and then they move up to High School until graduation at Grade 12.
Do you have a time frame for your move? And have you started looking at neighbourhoods? If you head over to the Richard Payne website http://www.richardpayne.ca Richard has a detailed Neighbourhood Guide which has links to the schools and neighbourhoods. Hopefully this can help you.
I hope this has helped answer some of your questions. There’s so much information to take on during the move, I remember it well!
Best of luck.
Jane
Thanks Jane and Richard for this great blog please I would like to have more information on schooling as am an intending Immigrant that want to settle in Nova Scotia ,Halifax to be precise next year I have two kids both aged 3 and 1 year 5 months respectively pls what are the options for them
Hello Gbaski
Thank you for your comments and congratulations on your imminent move to Halifax, it’s a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family!
You can find a lot of information on the HRCE site (Halifax Regional Centre for Education). There is a pre-primary program for children, which is a fairly new initiative and is making its way into many communities. It may be a good starting point for your 3 year old (depending on when you move here).
In general, children start school at 5 years old. And depending on the neighbourhood you choose to live in, will determine what time school starts and ends. For example, where we live in Fall River, Elementary School starts at 8.10am and finishes at 2pm. Other school communities start later and finish later. You have options to choose the public school system (through the Halifax Regional Centre for Education http://www.hrce.ca) or choose to put your children into private school. There are a number of private, independent schools in and around Halifax each with a different fee structure.
Have you looked at neighbourhoods yet? If you head over to Richard’s website http://www.richardpayne.ca he has a really good neighbourhood guide which has links to the neighbourhood schools. Once you’ve narrowed down your favourite communities, you’ll be able to work out the attached schools and have a look at/check out the website.
Do you have a time frame for your move?
Hope this helps.
Best of luck!
Jane