Last revised: March 17th, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. AST.

HALIFAX NS - WCB Nova Scotia’s Protect More Strategic Plan 2024-2030 will return the equivalent of 1,000 positions to the province’s workforce by 2030 – translating to more Nova Scotians working to care for patients, build homes, serve meals, maintain roads and more.

This commitment is already delivering results, thanks to a new way of doing business anchored in service and accountability. That includes a new approach implemented in the fall of 2024 to address sprains and strains – the province’s most common workplace injuries.

Data indicates that the new model is making an impact, by reducing time lost from work.

Among claims served by the new model since October 2024, where the worker returned to work in some capacity, they did so faster – 90 per cent of the time, within a month. And almost all of those Nova Scotians – 98 per cent – were back to work within two months.

The average claim duration overall in 2024 was 170 days, or nearly six months. The average number of treatments from physiotherapists or chiropractors reduced, too – from an average of 30, to an average of just seven.

In total, the new model has already helped about 600 workers successfully returned to their jobs, either full-time or with modified duties.

“While we are beginning to see progress, still, over 1 million days are lost every year due to workplace injuries,” said Karen Adams, CEO of WCB Nova Scotia. “These are workers who want to be, and should be, building roads and homes, caring for an aging population, and keeping our communities running – just to name a few examples of the work we protect.”

“Return to work leads to better physical, psychological, and financial outcomes for Nova Scotians injured on the job, a stronger workforce, and more efficient use of valuable health services.”

A key component of the new model focuses on the crucial first 30 days of a claim.

By collaborating closely with health care providers, WCB Nova Scotia put in measures to make sure injured workers receive the right support and effective treatment from the start.

This approach, guided by medical disability guidelines, has been shown to resolve 80 per cent of cases within the initial treatment phase.

New Milestone: Transforming Health Care Agreements

WCB Nova Scotia is now taking the next step in its transformation with the launch of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new worker-centric health care model. This new approach will replace the current framework, which has led to inconsistencies in workers’ treatment and recovery experiences.

“This is a significant milestone in our commitment to accountability—for ourselves, employers, and service providers,” Adams said. “With this new model, Nova Scotians injured at work will have quicker access to care, including digital options, consistent assessment and recovery services, and long-term cost savings that can be reinvested into improving benefits and reducing employer premiums.”

The RFP will remain open until April 14, with successful providers to be announced later in 2025. Click here for more information.

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Media Contact

Caitie Clark
Communications Advisor, WCB Nova Scotia
902.329.0556 caitie.clark@wcb.ns.ca