Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John’s, NL (May 22, 2020) – PC Official Opposition critic for Health and Community Services and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, David Brazil, is calling on Government and the Regional Health Authorities to immediately release how they plan to address the backlog in health appointments, procedures and surgeries.

On May 7, Minister Haggie said that each regional health authority is developing plans to address the backlog caused by the cancellation of non-urgent elective health services. Two weeks later Minister Haggie indicated that these plans continue to be worked on.

“It is time the people of this province see what these plans entail and when they can expect to get access to the health services that were previously cancelled. If there are barriers to addressing the backlog in a timely manner such as the availability of personal protective equipment or new protocols then Government needs to explain how they will be addressed” said Brazil.

“It has been a stressful time for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but, it has been exceptionally hard on those who are waiting for health appointments, procedures and surgeries. Our health care is too important for us to be kept in the dark about when the backlog will be addressed” said Brazil.

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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