A doctor in Cape Breton has expressed worries about the state of pain management services in eastern Nova Scotia due to what he perceives as insufficient resources provided by the provincial health authority for treating patient symptoms.
Dr. Robert MacNeill, a specialist who operates at a pain clinic in Sydney within the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, has highlighted concerns. The clinic, which sees approximately 4,000 patients annually, caters to residents across the Island’s four counties, as well as Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough.
Dr. MacNeill mentioned that a second pain clinic in North Sydney has reduced some services following the departure of one of its physicians. However, the clinic still administers pain-blocking injections to existing patients. Patients from North Sydney in need of non-infusion therapies are now being redirected to the Sydney clinic for evaluation and ongoing care or assistance with medications.
Regarding the waitlist for care, individuals seeking services from Dr. MacNeill’s pain specialist team may face a wait of up to three years. The Sydney clinic currently employs three pain specialists and two family physicians, with Dr. MacNeill planning to retire soon. He advocates for the recruitment of an additional doctor at the clinic, along with enhanced support services like increased physiotherapy, psychology services, and a nurse practitioner.
A pain doctor overseeing the North Sydney clinic departed the area in late August, as confirmed by Nova Scotia Health, although the exact number of affected patients was not disclosed. Cathy Lynn Howley, the director of perioperative and pain services for Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, stated that patient volumes and services are under review.
Recruitment efforts for more pain specialists at the Sydney clinic are ongoing, while the addition of a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist is expected in the upcoming year. MacNeill has expressed challenges in obtaining resources for Cape Breton since the amalgamation of health authorities in 2015, advocating for decentralized decision-making to facilitate prompt adjustments in staffing and equipment acquisition.
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