Home Support Waitlists for Victorian Order of Nurses Eliminated in Nova Scotia

People across Nova Scotia no longer have to wait for home support services from the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON).

All home support waitlists for VON have been eliminated throughout the province, with the Municipality of East Hants being the last one. VON provides home support to 2,900 Nova Scotians.

"Eliminating the home support waitlist in East Hants was a significant milestone for us," said Carol Curley, regional director with VON Canada. "This was the first time since 2012 that we have been able to serve all clients waiting for these services."

In early July waitlists for home support services were eliminated in the Annapolis Valley, Clare, Digby, Shelburne, Pictou and Antigonish. Nova Scotia Health Authority, home support agencies and front line staff worked together to improve communication and scheduling. They made sure people got the right kind of care when they needed it.

"This is thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved," said Environment Minister Margaret Miller on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "We want Nova Scotians to have the services they need to stay at home near family and friends. This means people are getting the care they need when they need it."

As of Sept. 23, 163 people were waiting for home support services in the province.

"With an aging population, more and more people will need these supports. We are making changes to ensure we will continue to be there when people need us," said Lindsay Peach, vice president, Integrated Health Services, Community Support and Management with Nova Scotia Health Authority. "Our team has been working with home care providers, unions and government to address the waitlists for home care, and we are seeing results."

More than 14,000 Nova Scotians receive home care services on any given day. Those services include personal care, respite care, housekeeping, meal preparation, as well as nursing.

Over the past three years government has added $59.1 million to home care spending. This year alone the budget increased by $14.2 million. The province now spends more than $255 million on these services.