(August 31, 2021) – Joedy Wall, PC MHA for Cape St. Francis, is alarmed by a lengthy wait for an ambulance during an emergency in Pouch Cove.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. on Monday evening, a medical emergency occurred in Pouch Cove. While the local fire department arrived on the scene within minutes of the call, there was a “red alert” on the Northeast Avalon at the time, meaning no ambulances were available to respond.

A private ambulance based in Conception Bay South ultimately had to take the call, which meant a 45 minute wait the ambulance to arrive on scene.

“First, let me thank the first responders who displayed their heroics last evening. The frontline workers who answer these calls save lives and protect our communities every day and deserve our gratitude and support,” said Wall.

“But a 45-minute wait for an ambulance because of a ‘red alert’ is totally unacceptable. Last night, it happened in Pouch Cove, but we know it’s all too often that ambulances are unavailable to respond due to high call volume and short staffing. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Wall says the situation is just one more example of a healthcare system in crisis, which the Health Minister does not acknowledge.

“We have a healthcare system where ‘red alerts’ are the norm in the capital city and surrounding region, where paramedics and nurses are overworked and crying out for help, and where over 90,000 do not have a family doctor,” said Wall.

“We need the Health Minister to take action, not give excuses. Newfoundland and Labrador’s healthcare crisis will only worsen the longer the crisis goes unaddressed.” 

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) (709) 725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca