NSNDP

August 16th, 2019

Hospitals, health care, key issues in byelections

NDP committed to keeping community hospitals open

North Sydney -- The NDP is committed to continuing the full range of services, including the emergency departments at community hospitals in the CBRM. NDP Leader Gary Burrill renewed this commitment today in North Sydney with NDP candidates Ronald Crowther and Mary Beth MacDonald.

“There’s no end to the issues with health care in the CBRM. Health care is in crisis,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers are doing their best in a bad situation. It doesn’t help when the answer from Premier McNeil is to permanently close the Northside ER.”

Last year the McNeil Liberals announced that they would close the New Waterford Consolidated and Northside General hospitals. The decision will cut the number of emergency rooms in the area in half.

“People are very worried about the state of our hospitals, overcrowding in ERs, and the inability to find a family doctor,” said Crowther. “As a father I understand the stress people are feeling when the Northside ER is closed for the weekend or longer. Imagine what it will be like when there is no ER in our community at all.”

Health care workers in Cape Breton have frequently expressed their concern about the state of health care on the island with little response from the Health Authority in Halifax.

“Another major problem, which hits close to home, is in mental health,” said MacDonald. “People are unable to access the support they need, and as a result too many people are suffering in ways that could be avoided. We need same-day/next-day appointments for mental health issues.”

-30-