2017 date set for new medical centre
New Health Authority causing rural communities to suffer?
The Nova Scotia Health Authority announced yet another closure at Roseway Emergency Department in Shelburne from Thursday, February 25, at 6 a.m., to Friday, February 26, at 8 a.m.
This is due to physician availability, says the Authority, who apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
The closure is the latest in a rash of closures at Roseway ER in the past two years.
When contacted by SCT, Shelburne Town councilor Roy O'Donnell said that he is disturbed that the ER closures continue to plague Roseway. "Despite the assurances from the Department officials to the contrary, it is my view that these repeated closures will continue until the Department and Health Authority finally build the collaborative medical centre we have been promised,"
Senior Department staff told local officials recently that they are now using 2017 as a completion date.
Health minister Leo Glavine and senior health department officials have told Shelburne residents and Town officlals repeatedly that they would work to resolve the issues surrounding the constant closures.
There were a string of eight ER closures at Roseway between December 18th and January 3rd and in the past year closures at the only emergency room between Liverpool and Yarmouth have increased by over 500%.
“Families that count on the Roseway ER in times of crisis deserve more than just lip-service from this minister and the Liberal government. Residents are tired of the hollow public relations events and want results,” Belliveau added.
If you have an emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. For non-emergency health advice from a registered nurse, please call 811. The Mental Health Crisis Line operates 24/7 at 1-888-429-8167.