Nova Scotia’s health minister has reported progress in ensuring that newborns in the province receive adequate healthcare, even though around 20% of newborns require a program for those without primary care providers. This rate is nearly three times higher than the percentage of all Nova Scotians on the waitlist for a doctor or nurse practitioner, which stands at approximately 7.3%.
Health minister Michelle Thompson stated that the rate of unattached babies is decreasing consistently and emphasized the availability of care for families in need. The province’s health authority disclosed that 1,648 newborns were assisted through the unattached newborn program from April 2024 to March 2025, with an expansion of the program in place.
Previously, parents in the central zone had to travel to a clinic in Halifax if their newborn lacked a primary care provider. However, the recent expansion now includes five primary care clinics in the central zone, located in Halifax, Dartmouth, Windsor, and Sheet Harbour. Clinics in other zones across the province were already equipped to accommodate newborns needing medical care.
Regular checkups during the first year of a baby’s life are crucial for monitoring growth, nutrition, and vaccinations. Newborns are expected to see a healthcare provider within 72 hours of leaving the hospital. Kolten MacDonnell, the director of primary health care in the central zone, highlighted the benefits of expanding support to babies at primary care clinics, emphasizing that care is now easily accessible closer to home.
Hospital staff will assess families to identify those in need of services, ensuring timely flagging for the 72-hour checkup at the local site. Additionally, newborns are placed on a waitlist to find a primary care provider, with access to clinic services until a match is made. Dr. Maria Alexiadis, the transformation lead for primary health care, reassured parents that the system is functioning well and encouraged them to contact 811 with any queries.
The process of matching babies with long-term healthcare providers is efficient, and Thompson assured parents that seeing different providers during clinic visits should not raise concerns. The focus remains on monitoring the baby’s well-being and storing essential health information.
This initiative aims to provide comprehensive care for newborns across Nova Scotia, ensuring that all babies have access to essential healthcare services from the start.