Premier Blaine Higgs speaks to reporters during a media briefing on February 12th, 2020.
Recent health care reforms that would have seen six of the province’s ERs closed overnight have been cancelled, according to a statement from the Premier released Sunday night.
The controversial plan would have seen emergency rooms in Sussex, Sackville, Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, Caraquet, Grand Falls and Perth-Andover closed from midnight until 8 a.m.
“Over the course of the past week, we have experienced a multitude of reactions and genuine concerns to the regional health authorities’ reform plan,” said Blaine Higgs in a release.
Higgs says as a result of this week’s outcry, he “can’t in good conscience move forward without addressing the concerns and fears that have been brought to light.”
[Le français suit]
Over the course of the past week, we have experienced a multitude of reactions and genuine concerns to the regional health authorities’ reform plan.
— Blaine Higgs (@BlaineHiggs) February 16, 2020
Following Tuesday’s announcement rallies were held across the province, and numerous politicians raised their concerns, including PC MLA Rob Gauvin, who left his post as Deputy Premier to run as an independent.
The changes were set to take place March 11th
Now, Higgs says further consultation will be done in April and May, where he plans to visit rural communities, and hear from community leaders, health officials, and people receiving care.
A healthcare summit has also been planned for June, aiming to develop a sustainable strategy for tackling what Higgs calls “a healthcare crisis.”
Findings from the community meetings and the summit will be released in the fall.
