ER report could mean ER closures: opposition
Posted Oct 27, 2010 06:16:21 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Opposition members are accusing the New Democratic government of using a report on health care issues as a shield to break promises.
The report released yesterday contains 26 recommendations, including a reassessment of the hours at 14 rural emergency departments.
The Health Minister says the NDP is still committed to keeping all ER’s in the province open 24/7.
Dr. John Ross’ report says there are times when there are few, if any, patients at rural emergency rooms and hours of operation should be looked at.
Tory Chris d’Entremont says it sounds like he’s talking about ER closures.
“A lot of these emergency rooms have been having problems over night for some time,” he said. “By the look of it, he’s sort of giving his seal of approval to allow them to be closed for the long-term.”
Liberal Health Critic Diana Whalen says it was unrealistic.
“That is not a promise we ever made,” said the Liberal. “We knew the facts and figures; we know the cost pressures on department of health. We did not make that promise.”
There were 795 days worth of closures at ER’s across the province last year.
