Health Minister Addresses Local Liberal Association
Health Minister Addresses Local Liberal Association
(This article is the unedited version of the article published in the Sackville Tribune Post, Sackville, NB, Canada, on June 04, 2008)
During the open public meeting prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Tantramar Liberal Association provincial Health Minister Michael Murphy spoke to local citizens on issues related to the reformed health care system.
The main point of interest was the assurance that he had no intention to cut beds at the Sackville Memorial Hospital and that governments plans to create two hundred plus new nursing home beds for seniors would not threaten the number of provincial hospital beds. It is his intention to use the freed up space in the various hospitals to increase the number of surgeries and reduce wait times throughout the province.
Murphy also pointed out that under the new system patients will now have the choice of staying in their own communities and wait for services or go to another location anywhere in the province and receive those very same services sooner.
With the reduction in the of Health Care Boards there would more resources made available which Murphy feels will provide a more standardized health care system at a reduced cost which is badly needed because the provincial economy is growing only at about three percent rate while health care costs are growing at a rate of about six percent.
With reference to seniors being needlessly being housed in high priced hospital rooms, Murphy stated, with the commitment of his government to construct two hundred plus new nursing room beds over the next two and one years there will be a greater savings and reduce the financial burden on the entire health care system and will better serve the seniors who can be looked after outside the hospital environment.
In other areas the Minister foresees improved in the seniors prescription plan, improved ambulance service, at home self care initiatives and the retention of all paramedic graduates within the province.
Following his presentation Murphy fielded questions from the floor during which he stated he has full confidence and supports the Minister of Education and his proposed changes within the French Immersion program. In regard to uranium drilling issue within the province the Government House leader Murphy indicated that although he has authorized free water testing in the community of Harvey he presently has no concerns pertaining to Radon pollution or other chemicals and the health of New Brunswickers. He further stated should uranium mining become an issue in this province federal regulations would be in affect and environment issues would be addressed through Ottawa.
During the Annual Meeting of the Tantramar Liberal Association the status quo was maintain in membership of the executive and board members with any remaining vacancies to be filled by the executive. The elected President Janet Fotheringham will be providing a new agenda for the association over the next few weeks.
