MacLeod pressures McNeil government on doctor shortage in Cape Breton

HALIFAX, NS – Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg MLA Alfie MacLeod is frustrated that the McNeil Liberals are delaying the opening of the collaborative-care clinic in Sydney once again.

The clinic that was supposed to open in October is now postponed indefinitely. Cape Bretoners are told the new date is late January to early February, but even the health department says that’s optimistic.

“The doctor shortage in Cape Breton is deplorable,” says MacLeod. “People are still without a doctor and the McNeil government will not admit there’s a health crisis. We want a firm deadline on when the clinic will open and who will be held accountable for making it happen.”

MacLeod has been putting pressure on the government since the original opening date lapsed.

“It’s been half a year since the McNeil government announced a collaborative-care clinic and nothing’s changed,” says MacLeod. “It proves it was nothing but a political announcement to distract from the doctors’ meeting in Sydney in June.”

The blame for the delay has been put on opening several collaborative-care clinics all at once across the province.

“People in our community need a doctor today, not in five or 10 years like the department has suggested,” says MacLeod. “The McNeil government broke its election promise of a doctor for every Nova Scotian. Someone has to be held accountable.”

MacLeod released a video urging community members to write and call Premier McNeil and Minister Glavine and pressure them to actually address the doctors shortage in Cape Breton now.