Good news stymies Health Care Network

The network was attempting, and might still succeed, to establish a Queens County health committee to consider local issues and help with such larger matters as lobbying for a national Pharmacare program and stopping the privatization of health care in Canada.

Since the meeting, the group has come under fire from the Nova Scotia PC Party, which has asked Nova Scotia’s Chief Electoral Officer to look into allegations the organization is “conducting political activity on behalf of the NDP and being funded by money from organized labour.”

Queens MLA Vicki Conrad was even mentioned for emailing and telling her constituents about the meeting. The Party’s press release didn’t mention she advised constituents affiliated with other parties about the meeting as well.

The total contributions by a trade union and its locals and affiliates to a recognized party must not exceed $5,000 in any year. The Party pointed out there is a high number of NDP members on the organization’s executive.

The Network responded it welcomes members from all parties and organizations and that the Tories are simply trying to stop the current debate over health care.

Most of the participants, but not all, present at the sparsely-attended meeting were members of the Queens County Community Health Board. They stated the E.R. hasn’t closed, Queens County has a good doctor to patient ratio, the North Queens Health Centre is renown for its well-honed services based on cross-disciplines in the health care system, and Queens General Hospital is expanding in the near future both physically and in terms of services and the number of beds.

Health Network Coordinator, Kyle Buott recognized this fact, adding he was impassioned about privatization in particular. “The other side is winning the battle to privatize health care.” He also mentioned dental care and Pharmacare as programs needing expansion.

Buott asked for examples of local issues that might need assistance from such a committee.

Member of the Community Health Board reiterated the issues are few and volunteers in the community are already working on those that do exist. Queens MLA Vicki Conrad said the province should establish a provincial palliative care strategy.

Buott said the organization is also concerned with the Corpus Sanchez Provincial Health System Operation Review.

He said members are worried, for example, some hospitals will be turned into clinics and that the government is planning to utilize public-private (P3) partnerships.

Bowater union leader, Courtney Wentzell said privatization is a major concern of union members as well. “I think it’s a great shame in this country and I think it is poison.”

Buott said other areas of Canada have found solutions. For example, traveling teams of physicians and other health care workers can reduce the backlog at some hospitals. Streamlining the system so patients require less visits and are diagnosed earlier and more nurse practitioners are other examples, he said. Preventative health care was another example.

In the end, the Community Health Board members, including Chair Grant Webber seemed to agree they didn’t need to join a local group but welcomed any input such a committee would provide.