Cancer clinics in Yarmouth and New Glasgow will continue as N.S. funds more docs

There will be no interruption to the traveling cancer clinics in Yarmouth and New Glasgow.

Nova Scotia Health Minister Randy Delorey confirmed to CBC on Wednesday that his department has approved hiring two more permanent medical oncologists as well as funding for an additional locum position for one year to bridge recruitment efforts.

"We've made the commitment, that's been communicated," Delorey said in an interview at Province House. "The clinicians recognize that commitment. It addresses what they believe are the challenges they've been facing."

Delorey said he received word on Tuesday that the decision was enough to persuade medical oncologists who travel once or twice a month from Halifaxto Yarmouth and New Glasgow to continue making those trips.

Mounting workloads created pressure

The specialists served notice to the Nova Scotia Health Authority earlier this month that their workloads had become too strained to continue providing the traveling service and they needed more staff before they could commit to serving the clinics beyond this month.

The minister said the health authority would handle posting the positions and recruitment.

Dr. Drew Bethune, medical director of the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program, said in a recent interview that the program in Halifax is "quite highly regarded" and he expected recruiting efforts would be successful if the ask for additional resourceswas approved.

In a statement Wednesday, Bethune welcomed the decision.

"This is absolutely wonderful news for cancer patients being seen in Yarmouth and New Glasgow clinics and government's acknowledgement of the current strain on our medical oncologists," he said.

"The approval of two new positions is great news for medical oncology and our entire Cancer Care Program team."

A need to be proactive

Delorey said the newpositions would not only keep the traveling clinics open but also enhance the province's broader cancer care program, because the doctors will be based in Halifax.

He noted the concerns flagged by the medical oncologists weren't about the clinics themselves, but rather the general workload pressures theface.

Colton LeBlanc, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Argyle-Barrington, said he is pleased the government is acting, but he's disappointed things hadto be so far gone before the doctors' workload issues were addressed.

"Government needs to be proactive, looking at data that's available and making informed decisions, decisions that are going to affect Nova Scotians not only three months down the road, but three years and 10 years down the road."

LeBlanc said the clinic in Yarmouth plays a vital role in his community because it reduces the need for people to travel to Halifax and the costs associated with those trips for treatment.