The number of Nova Scotians looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner dropped in July.
Nova Scotia Health says 54,582 people were on the Need a Family Practice Registry as of August 1.
That is down from 58,473 on July 1.
The drop means the registry decreased by 3,891 people over the month.
Nova Scotia Health says the number reflects ongoing changes to the registry, including new registrations, people being attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner and other updates to registration status.
The health authority says five per cent of Nova Scotia’s population is currently on the registry.
The next update is expected in early September.
Nova Scotians can use the registry to sign up for a family practice, confirm their registration, update their information or remove their request.


