Home / Health / Nova Scotia Cancer Care Cut Due to Staff Shortage
Nova Scotia Cancer Care Cut Due to Staff Shortage
29 Apr
Summary
- Radiation therapy hours reduced at Halifax cancer center.
- Fourteen radiation therapist vacancies represent 25% of staff.
- Lack of local training programs exacerbates recruitment challenges.
Radiation therapy appointment hours have been reduced at Nova Scotia Health's cancer centre in Halifax, starting in early March. The reduction stems from a significant staffing shortage, with 14 radiation therapist vacancies representing approximately 25% of the department's total positions.
The Halifax centre is a key treatment hub for complex cases across the Atlantic provinces, while the Cape Breton centre operates at full capacity. Staff morale is reportedly low due to increased stress and workload, with an estimated 48 radiation appointments going unfilled daily.
Advocates are urging the Nova Scotia government to consider establishing a radiation therapy training program at Dalhousie University, a proposal previously rejected. Currently, training programs are only available further west, contributing to recruitment difficulties. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have expressed openness to a shared Atlantic training initiative.
Nova Scotia Health is triaging patients based on clinical need and monitoring wait times, with urgent cases receiving immediate care. Staff are being asked to work mandatory overtime to manage the patient load. The health authority anticipates hiring two new radiation therapists in May and has made offers to four others.
