(February 6, 2023, St. John’s) – Loyola O’Driscoll, MHA for Ferryland, says he’s thankful to hear a constituent is recovering after waiting well over an hour for an ambulance after a medical emergency.

“Last week, during a gathering of residents on the Southern Shore, an attendee suffered a medical emergency. An ambulance was called to the area and despite another ambulance sitting idle in the community without any operators, the person had to wait well over an hour for the ambulance to arrive from St. John’s,” said O’Driscoll.

“This event was too close of a call for the residents of the Southern Shore and indeed throughout the district of Ferryland. Everyone needs to know an ambulance will be ready quickly when they need it. Residents of the Southern Shore do not have that comfort.”

O’Driscoll says between ambulances sitting idle while emergencies take place to the threat of the removal of ambulance services in Trepassey, residents of the Southern Shore need action from the Liberal Government to protect their access to emergency care.

“A minute makes a difference when an emergency arises. This person waited well over an hour. The Liberal Government has sat back and watched emergency services suffer throughout the district of Ferryland. Enough is enough,” said O’Driscoll.

“If ambulances are sitting idle, they need a plan from government to have them staffed and ready to respond to emergencies. With one ambulance operator planning to leave the Trepassey area already, it’s clear the Liberal Government must create a plan to ensure residents have access to emergency services in their time of need.”

-30-

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca