Nova Scotia Health is facing staffing challenges that have delayed the opening of a five-bed palliative care unit at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg for over four years. The health authority recently hired a medical director but requires more qualified staff, complicating recruitment due to varying competencies. This issue reflects a national trend affecting palliative care services, particularly in rural areas where demand is rising alongside an aging population. Experts emphasize the need for better training capacity in these regions to improve access to essential care.
