The Nova Scotia government is taking steps to reduce the amount of time doctors spend on paperwork.
New legislation will create more time for healthcare providers to see and treat patients, and less time writing out sick notes.
Premier Tim Houston said that the legislation should have happened a long time ago.
“If we continue to do things the same way, we are going to keep getting the same results,” said Houston. “That is unacceptable for Nova Scotia, and that is unacceptable to me.”
The bill comes as his government faces pressure from opposing parties to address the provinces healthcare crisis and rising waitlist for doctors.
“Paperwork shouldn’t stand in the way of helping Nova Scotians get the care they need. When someone is sick, the last thing they should be thinking about is that they need to get a doctor’s note. It’s also the last thing a doctor needs to write, when they could be seeing a patient with more urgent care needs.” said Health Minister Michelle Thompson.
In addition to reducing paperwork, the bill will also make it easier for out-of-province doctors to come to Nova Scotia for work.
Highlights include:
• licensing or registration criteria will be waived for healthcare providers coming from other parts of Canada, as needed and in accordance with Canadian free trade obligations.
• regulators cannot charge healthcare professionals licensed in other parts of Canada an application fee.
• applications must be processed within five business days.
• supports the creation of regulations that will apply the above provisions to non-Canadian jurisdictions.
• allows all regulators to recognize the credentials and licences of healthcare professionals trained outside Canada.
• ensures regulated healthcare professionals can work to their full training and allows expanded scope of practice through regulations rather than legislation.
• employers will only be able to request a sick note if an employee is absent for more than five days or has already had two absences of five days or less in the previous 12-month period.
• allows the government to prescribe Workers Compensation Board forms and documents to improve the process for Nova Scotians and doctors.
