(January 26, 2021) – Under a PC government healthcare delivery will be equally accessible to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador regardless of geography, says leader Ches Crosbie.

The Newfoundland and Labrador medical association estimates some 90,000 people do not have access to a family doctor in this province. Crosbie says that’s unacceptable.

“The Liberal record on doctor recruitment and retention has been abysmal,” said Crosbie. “A PC government would work with the experts in the field to work improve healthcare outcomes and increase accessibility to healthcare throughout the province.”

A PC government would:

• Create a province-wide network of primary healthcare teams to give patients access to comprehensive care, while allowing physicians to work in teams to provide greater care.

• Set a goal of reducing the number of persons without a family doctor to five per cent.

• Set a goal of retaining 75 per cent of Memorial University graduates who pursue family medicine here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Expand virtual care technologies to allow patients to access healthcare in any area of the province.

• Change Medical Transportation Assistance Plan to allow 100% reimbursement for medical travel.

• Work with nurse practitioners to create new full-time, permanent positions in communities that need them.

“Accessible healthcare means better outcomes for all Newfoundland and Labrador. A PC government will work hand-in-hand with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to improve healthcare across the province,” said Crosbie.

Crosbie will have more to say about his plans to improve the healthcare system in the and weeks to come.
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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