The MLA for Queens-Shelburne is once again calling on the province to do more for Roseway Hospital.
The Shelburne hospital’s ER was closed last weekend and has been closed around 140 hours since the new year.
Kim Masland says it’s a dire situation.
“We know when we go to Queens General Hospital, people in Lunenburg County know when they go to Fishermen’s or South Shore Regional, they’re going to have access, these people in Shelburne, they never know.”
Roseway’s ER was closed over 700 hours in 2017-18 and Masland is concerned with the numbers so far this year, they could see double those numbers in 2019.
Masland is worried with the rate of closures so far this year, that the ER could be closed even more this year.
She’s also concerned about the spill over of patients going to Queens General Hospital instead of Roseway.
Doctors in Liverpool have said in the past that they’ve experienced an influx of residents from Shelburne County.
Masland says Roseway’s ER is closed so often, people often don’t even stop to check and just drive to Liverpool instead.
“People who live in an area that pretty much, if we think about it, are disadvantaged for time when it comes to accessing ER health care.”
Masland says she has invited Health Minister Randy Delorey to join her for a discussion with residents in Shelburne but he hasn’t taken her up on the offer yet.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
