The head of the division of hematology at the Nova Scotia Health Authority says patients who suffer from leukemia, lymphoma and other blood diseases are waiting longer than expected for routine checkups while three positions are unfilled.

Dr. Stephen Couban says there are eight hematologists in the province and there has been a turnover in the last several months. Two positions are open in Sydney and Couban says patients are feeling the effects all over the province.

"We're short across the board," Couban told CBC's Information Morning.

Urgent cases are being dealt with, but there are delays for routine checkups, he said.

"We're certainly making sure patients aren't suffering," Couban said.

Couban says his department is not allowed to hire new hematologists until the province signs off on each position.

"That does add a lot of unnecessary delay to the process. In fact, for our first position I had four very good candidates but by the time we offered them the position they had accepted places elsewhere in Canada," he said.

He says getting approvals for positions can take months.

Also creating a challenge is a cut in speciality training in hematology.

"When there are areas with a shortage that wouldn't seem the best place to cut a new training position." he said.

Still, Couban says he remains optimistic they'll be able to attract hematologists to the province.