A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) highlights significant improvements in surgical wait times across Nova Scotia. The 2024 findings show the province is leading the country in several key areas, thanks to the leadership, investments and approaches to improve access to care by our PC government.
Nova Scotia tied for first in Canada for cataract surgeries, with 83% of patients receiving care within the 112-day benchmark—up 15% from the previous year. The province also ranked third nationally for hip and knee joint replacements, with wait times improving substantially year-over-year. For hip fracture repairs, Nova Scotia exceeded the national average, with 86% completed within the 48-hour benchmark.
“We are committed to building a system that delivers timely, effective and patient centred care,” said the Honourable Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health and Wellness. “We’re proud of this momentum and will keep pushing forward to ensure every Nova Scotian gets the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
The progress goes beyond benchmarks. Nova Scotia Health reported:
- More than 57,000 scheduled surgeries completed in 2024–25 — up 13% compared to pre-COVID volumes.
- The surgical waitlist at a 10-year low, down 33% since the start of the pandemic.
- Average wait times for all surgeries at a five-year low of 108 days.
This significant progress reflects our PC government’s ongoing work to improve healthcare for all Nova Scotians through the Action for Health Plan.