Nova Scotia is implementing measures to address long wait times for mammograms and improve women's healthcare access. Health Minister Michelle Thompson announced that reviews are underway to manage booking and scheduling more effectively, which should lead to shorter wait times in the coming months. Additionally, a new Menopause Centre of Excellence will open this winter in Spryfield, offering comprehensive care with both in-person and virtual services provided by various specialists, along with an education coordinator aimed at enhancing understanding of menopause among health providers and the public.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Nova Scotia has launched initiatives aimed at improving women’s healthcare by reducing wait times for mammograms and establishing a new Menopause Centre of Excellence in Halifax. Women across the province have been voicing concerns over delays for breast screening, with some waiting over a year for mammogram appointments. Health Minister Michelle Thompson announced that the province is conducting a review focusing on booking management, scheduling, equipment standardization, and workforce opportunities to address these issues. The new Menopause Centre of Excellence will offer in-person and virtual care services starting this winter, staffed by specialists including a gynecologist and registered nurse.
Written for “Mammogram Wait Times Reduction” on 2026-09-15,
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Nova Scotia has unveiled initiatives aimed at improving women’s health care, including efforts to reduce wait times for breast screening.
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Scotia → unveil → screening
Women in the province have recently spoken out about lengthy delays for mammograms — with wait times of over a year.
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Women → speak → year
Provincial Health Minister Michelle Thompson said Monday that she expects a boost in available mammogram appointments in the next several months.
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she → say → months
“A review has already started and will specifically look at booking and waitlist management and scheduling, standardizing services and equipment, and workforce opportunities,” she said.
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she → start → services
In addition, Thompson provided an update on the new Menopause Centre of Excellence — a clinic poised to open in the Halifax neighbourhood of Spryfield this winter.
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Thompson → provide → Spryfield
The clinic will offer in-person and virtual care, and will be staffed by a gynecologist, pelvic floor physiotherapist, registered nurse and general practitioner.
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clinic → offer → gynecologist
As part of the clinic, an education coordinator will be hired to help improve understanding of menopause among health providers and the public.
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coordinator → hire → providers
“The biggest gap within menopause is that community members, women, health-care providers don’t understand and don’t know enough about menopause, the menopause journey, menopause care and treatment,” said Dr. Shawna O’Hearn, co-founder of the Menopause Society of Nova Scotia.
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O’Hearn → understand → Scotia
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“So, the education is going to be critical.
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education → get → news
As well, the province is establishing a dedicated women’s health program within the Department of Health and Wellness, and creating a new provincial Women’s Health Clinical Collaborative.
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province → establish → Collaborative
A new women’s health summit will also hold its first meeting this fall.
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summit → hold → meeting
“Government doesn’t have all the answers — and the summit will bring together patients, health-care providers, community organizations, advocates, researchers and health system leaders,” said Thompson.
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Thompson → have → patients
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outbreak → kill → Zambia
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demand → call → feds
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The Opposition NDP said it has been raising women’s concerns around health-care access for many years and was optimistic about Monday’s announcement.
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it → fear → announcement
“Finally, those women are being listened to, so I am happy for them and I’m happy this is happening, but the proof will be in the pudding,” said NDP Dartmouth North MLA Susan Leblanc.
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Leblanc → listen → pudding
In a statement, NDP Leader Claudia Chender called it a “victory for women.”
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Chender → call → women
“Today Nova Scotian women wait the longest in the country for gynecology surgery, don’t have access to appropriate breast screening for cancer, wait over a year for mammograms,” she said.
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she → wait → mammograms
“We hope this means a turnaround for women’s health in this province, and we’ll keep pushing the government to take further steps and make sure they fix health care for everyone.”
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they → hope → everyone
The Aporia
