Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (November 9, 2020) – David Brazil, PC Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, is demanding Government take immediate action to provide additional resources to deal with a backlog in cardiac surgeries.

Brazil noted Mr. Jack Eastwood has spoken out publicly after being on the waitlist for open heart surgery for over a year. Even worse, Eastern Health has been unable to provide a definitive timeframe which has led Mr. Eastwood to explore options for having his surgery out of province.

Brazil said, “This is completely unacceptable. The people of the province, including many trades unions, have donated millions to improve cardiac care in the province. While surgeries were delayed because of the pandemic, we now learn that we only have three cardiac surgeons versus the normal five. Not surprisingly, the waitlist for cardiac procedures has grown from 120 to 170.”

“We have advocated for a plan to resume services and deal with the backlog in healthcare for months. We are calling on Government to take a leadership role and immediately provide additional resources to address the waitlist for cardiac procedures,” said Brazil

Brazil added, “The impact on the quality of life of these patients cannot be understated. There is no “minor open heart surgery” for these patients and families. We all deserve better!”
 

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Communications and Digital Strategy

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

-30-