(September 16, 2022, St. John’s) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island, today expressed deep concern over reports of an internal memo to Health Science Centre Staff highlighting an immediate need for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and personal care attendants to work in the Health Sciences ER this weekend.

“Eastern Health is begging RNs, LPNs, and PCAs to work additional shifts this weekend, according to the CBC, following last weekend where the same health authority asked people to stay away from emergency rooms due to staff shortages. I am deeply concerned that emergency care will not be available when people need lifesaving care the most,” said Brazil.

Brazil noted the President of the Registered Nurses Union spoke publicly earlier this week about the staffing crisis that the Liberals have failed to take immediate action to correct.

Just yesterday, Sister Elizabeth Davis highlighted the need for short-term solutions, while the Health Accord looks at long-term solutions. Brazil says two weekends in a row of disruptions at our province’s major hospitals due to staff shortages only underscores the level of crisis staring our province in the face.

“Nurses are suffering physical and mental exhaustion to the point of resigning, leaving the province for work elsewhere, and giving up their profession. The Minister has said this week there is no easy fix, clearly, the new Minister has admitted failure early into his tenure,” said Brazil.

“The Furey Liberal Government has had seven years to address these issues, but on their watch the problem has gotten worse – how long will the Liberals continue to let people go without health care? How long will the Health Accord architects, the Nurses Union, NAPE and the people of the province be ignored before serious action is taken to fix the crisis unfolding before our eyes?”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca