Action will be key in Ross recommendations
Submitted by communications on Tue, 2010-10-26 15:49
Oct 26 2010

HALIFAX – Progressive Conservative Health critic, Chris d’Entremont, thanked Dr. John Ross, the Provincial Advisor on Emergency Care, for his hard work on behalf of Nova Scotians but cautioned the report will be used by the NDP to justify breaking another promise – keeping emergency rooms open 24/7.

“I have said all along that Dr. Ross’ report would be used as a shield for this government to break hastily made election commitments they did not practically cost out or consider the implications of,” said d’Entremont. “Any movement from the Health Minister on the recommendation to ‘develop very clear policies around hours of operation’ is a signal to me that the NDP are going back on their word and breaking a vital campaign promise to Nova Scotians.”
 
d’Entremont was pleased to see Dr. Ross’ recommendations included many Progressive Conservative initiatives, some of which he championed as a former Minister of Health.
 
 “Dr. Ross tackled the complex role assigned to him – to ensure Nova Scotians have access to emergency care in a timely manner – and I am pleased to see the recommendations he put forward to make health care delivery better,” said d’Entremont. “What happens now is out of his hands - the responsibility to act rests solely with Premier Darrell Dexter and Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. I will be holding them both to account to ensure the decisions made are in the best interests of patients across the province.”
 
The Progressive Conservative Caucus is hopeful some of the recommendations are actioned quickly.
 
“Providing better access to primary care across the province, allowing non-traditional providers to have a larger role in care delivery and ensuring there is a coordinated flow of patients between facilities are suggestions our Caucus hopes the government acts on first,” said d’Entremont.
 
Dr. Ross’ report, The Patient Journey Through Emergency Care in Nova Scotia, makes 26 recommendations overall. It does not include a costing, however.
 
“I believe a detailed costing of implementing this report is needed. There are recommendations to information tracking systems, training more doctors and nurses,” said d’Entremont. “All of this will cost money and we need to ensure taxpayers dollars will be used in the most effective manner possible.”  
 
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