Nova Scotia Health Authority VP confirms attendance
SYDNEY, NS – Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg MLA Alfie MacLeod and Northside-Westmount MLA Eddie Orrell want Health Minister Leo Glavine to attend the public meeting about the doctor shortage in Sydney on Sunday.
On May 30, the Cape Breton MLAs wrote to the Minister requesting he attend, but have not heard back from him or his office.
“The doctor shortage in Cape Breton is a serious concern,” says MacLeod. “Our offices have been flooded with calls about it for months. There is a public meeting on Sunday and it would be best if our elected Minister would come and hear from the community and address people’s concerns.”
The Nova Scotia Health Authority has confirmed that Tim Guest, the vice president responsible for the Eastern Zone, will be attending along with members of the leadership team from that zone.
Orrell says the meeting is an opportunity for patients, doctors and healthcare workers to tell the government and the health authority exactly what’s happening in the healthcare system in Cape Breton.
“There have been countless questions and exchanges and it’s time to get back to basics,” says Orrell. “It’s in everyone’s interest for the government and the health authority to hear directly from the people about the gaps and challenges the doctor shortage is causing. It will also give them an opportunity to talk directly with the people. Communication and community engagement will help us get to the root of the problem and work on solutions.”
The public meeting, open to anyone concerned or affected by the doctor shortage, is taking place on Sunday, June 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney.