(March 1, 2022) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says it took seven years, but the Liberals have finally discovered there is an issue with healthcare recruitment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I congratulate the Liberal government for the epiphany that healthcare recruitment is facing a crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador. After seven years in office, the government has finally issued a request for proposals for a plan, months after it was revealed the last human resources plan for government was created under a PC government,” said Brazil.

“After announcing the Health Accord plan, the Liberal government is announcing three more plans to make plans. The Liberals already announced the Healthcare Human Resource Plan RFP on October 18, yet today felt the need to announce it again. The Liberals committed to Nursing Core Staffing Review in 2019, did not act on it, and decided to re-announce the review today. It’s simply unacceptable.”

Brazil says he welcomes this step, but reminds there is a long road ahead to fix the effects of seven years of Liberal inaction.

“Yvette Coffey, president of the Registered Nurses Union, today acknowledged the measures ‘won’t fix all the issues or bring immediate change’ to the healthcare system. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have been waiting for change since 2015 – the Liberal government has been unwilling to deliver,” said Brazil.

“Almost 100,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians remain without access to a family doctor. Wait lists for long-term mental healthcare remain extraordinary. Healthcare recruiters from elsewhere in Canada continue to attract our healthcare professionals elsewhere. Now, there’s another plan to make a plan. Patients need action today.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca