MLA Alfie MacLeod frustrated by Premier McNeil’s broken promise
HALIFAX, NS – Today, Progressive Conservative MLA for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg is calling for an emergency debate on the shortage of doctors in Nova Scotia.
CBC reported last night that Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan said there is a ‘wrecking ball’ heading toward family practices. MacLeod wrote to the Speaker of the House of Assembly this morning requesting an emergency debate on the issue, this afternoon.
“The doctor shortage problem is even worse than we ever imagined. Doctors and nurses are doing their best but their hands are tied,” says MacLeod. ““In order to fix a problem, you first have to agree there is a problem. The arrogance from Premier McNeil and Minister Glavine is appalling.”
Premier McNeil promised in the election, a doctor for every Nova Scotian. Now he won’t even sit down with doctors to discuss the staffing shortages. Whatever advice Premier McNeil is receiving is not coming from doctors and it’s way off.
MacLeod is calling on Premier McNeil and Minister Glavine to work directly with doctors and nurses.
“Set up a meeting. Work with the doctors and nurses to understand the problem, listen to their challenges and then get to work on solutions,” says MacLeod. “Ignoring the crisis will not make it go away, but it is forcing doctors to go away.”
MacLeod says he’s gotten more calls on this issue than any other in the past year. He’s calling on the Liberals to allow the emergency debate to go forward.