(September 15, 2022, St. John’s) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, is echoing the concerns raised by Sister Elizabeth Davis on the need for short-term action to relieve the pressures of the healthcare crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Sister Davis rightly notes the responsibility for short-term solutions to our healthcare crisis falls to the Minister of Health and the Department. The Health Accord provides a long-term blueprint, but the people of our province are suffering with long waits at both emergency departments and community health clinics alike,” said Brazil.

“Now is not the time to let doctors willing to work in our province face barriers to practicing in our province. Regulators have a job to do, but the fact of the matter is our province needs healthcare professionals of all stripes to assist during the crisis unfolding in our healthcare system.”

Brazil is calling on Premier Furey to outline ways to streamline the process to allow qualified healthcare professionals to ease the pressure on the healthcare crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Every corner of our province is facing this crisis. Whether it’s the emergency room closures in Whitbourne, Botwood, or Harbour Breton, whether it’s residents of Fogo concerned about their access to a doctor, or whether it’s patients facing extraordinary waits at the province’s major tertiary care centres in St. John’s, the crisis is unfolding in all corners of our province,” said Brazil.

“We simply cannot afford to allow barriers to remain in place which prevent healthcare professionals from practicing in our province. If Nova Scotia can set records for doctor recruitment, then we have to work even harder to attract healthcare professionals to our province. We can’t wait a decade to solve the problems we’re facing today.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca