Cape Breton doctor concerned about health zone’s pain services – CBC
Departure of pain specialist at North Sydney clinic has created more demand, says Dr. Robert MacNeill
Oct 22, 2025
A Cape Breton doctor is concerned about the future of pain care in eastern parts of Nova Scotia due to what he describes as a lack of resources provided by the provincial health authority to treat patient symptoms.
Dr. Robert MacNeill is a specialist who works four days a week at a Sydney pain clinic located inside the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
The clinic handles roughly 4,000 patient visits per year and services the Island’s four counties, as well as Antigonish, Pictou and Guysborough.
MacNeill said a second pain clinic in North Sydney recently scaled back some services after one of its doctors left the area, but it continues to offer pain-blocking injections to existing patients.
Some of the North Sydney patients who require non-infusion therapies are now being transferred to the Sydney clinic to be assessed and receive ongoing care or help with their medication.
