A Quispamsis meeting of people opposed to the idea of having Medavie run Telecare 811, the Extra Mural program and Ambulance New Brunswick got a little testy.
A meeting is underway at the Quispamsis Civic Centre opposing the government’s plans to merge Telecare, Extra Mural and Ambulance NB. pic.twitter.com/ScWtwTgOZC
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) October 18, 2017
It was made up mainly of Conservative MLAs, union members and seniors but the Liberal cabinet minister responsible for Seniors, Lisa Harris, was also there.
She attempted to explain the point of this merger saying it’s to make the health care system work better.
Harris told the crowd under the new system, paramedics and Extra Mural nurses would collaborate.
She says they will not replace them or try to do the scope of work that an Extra Mural nurse does.
Ruth Parker is an Extra Mural nurse and she says this idea will not work.
She says Medavie is a private organization that will raise all kinds of problems. Parker says instead of silos they will have walls.
Conservative MLA and former Health Minister Ted Flemming doesn’t understand why the Liberals would mess with a program like the Extra Mural program that was working so well especially when they have admitted that it will cost more.
Rothesay Conservative MLA Ted Flemming says morale at Ambulance New Brunswick is at an all time low with high rates of PTSD. pic.twitter.com/nM4BBwNWJn
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) October 18, 2017
