A doctor in Cape Breton has raised concerns about the future of pain management services in eastern Nova Scotia, citing insufficient resources provided by the provincial health authority for treating patient symptoms.
Dr. Robert MacNeill, a specialist at a pain clinic in Sydney’s Cape Breton Regional Hospital, expressed worries about the situation. The clinic, which caters to patients from four counties on the island as well as Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough, handles around 4,000 patient visits annually.
Recently, a second pain clinic in North Sydney had to reduce some services following the departure of one of its doctors. However, the clinic continues to offer pain-blocking injections to existing patients. Some patients requiring non-infusion therapies are now being referred to the Sydney clinic for assessment and ongoing care or medication assistance due to the change.
MacNeill, who serves as the medical director for chronic pain services in Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, mentioned that these patients are facing extended wait times for care.
The waitlist for patients seeking services from MacNeill as a pain specialist spans approximately three years. While there are three pain specialists and two family physicians at the Sydney clinic, including MacNeill himself (who plans to retire soon), he emphasized the need for additional resources. He advocated for hiring another doctor at the clinic and enhancing support services such as physiotherapy, psychology, and a nurse practitioner.
Nova Scotia Health confirmed the departure of a pain doctor from the North Sydney clinic in late August but did not disclose the number of affected patients.
Cathy Lynn Howley, the director of perioperative and pain services for Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, mentioned ongoing recruitment efforts for more pain specialists at the Sydney clinic. Additionally, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist have been hired and are set to start in the coming year to support the clinic’s workload.
MacNeill highlighted the challenges in resource allocation in Cape Breton since the amalgamation of health authorities in 2015. He suggested that bringing health-care decision-making back to Cape Breton could facilitate necessary changes like staffing adjustments or equipment acquisitions.
The doctor stressed the importance of reflecting the increasing prevalence of pain as a presenting complaint in medical settings by allocating appropriate resources to provide better care.
The province is actively reviewing patient loads and services in response to the evolving situation, aiming to prioritize patient care and address the challenges faced by pain clinics in the region.