The leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's medical lobby says patients should ask politicians to prescribe some solutions on the campaign trail.
"There are scores of patients in this province who are in a crisis," Dr. Joseph Tumilty, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, told a Rotary meeting Thursday in St. John's.
Dr. Joseph Tumilty said too many patients are suffering because of long waiting lists for surgery.
(CBC)
Tumilty said wait times are already too long and that things may worsen if the next government does not move quickly to improve wait times, patient safety and access to care.
"We are waiting too long for everything," said Tumilty, an orthopedic surgeon based in Gander.
"That's what we are hearing from our patients and our doctors, and that's what we need to focus on."
The NLMA will not be starting a new round of bargaining with the government for a couple of years.
The association is using the campaign leading up to the Oct. 9 election to focus voter awareness on issues like wait times, accessibility and quality.
Tumilty said some of his own patients due to receive hip or knee replacements have been waiting more than 12 months for the surgery.
"They're suffering in pain for over a year," he said. "Their quality of life is diminished considerably and that's just not good enough," he said.
Tumilty said voters — and politicians — should be aware that turnover of physicians is already a serious issue.
About 25 per cent of physicians have indicated retirement plans for the next five to 10 years, he said.
Some attending the Rotary luncheon said they hoped that new oil deals, like a pending deal on the Hebron field, will pump more money into the health-care system to pay for improvements.
"It could go along way to helping the infrastructure and technology needs," said Catherine Barrett. "Whether that will be a cure-all, I'm hesitant to say."
Roy Myers said he does not expect a fast turnaround in the health-care system.
"Maybe in 10 years, but not the next three or four, that's for sure," he said.
Related
Internal Links
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 43 | 0 | 43 | 69.56% |
| LIB | 3 | 0 | 3 | 21.98% |
| NDP | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.21% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .25% |
| Last Update:October 9, 10:58:12 PM NDT | ||||
| Unofficial results were updated at the time shown. For more recent results, visit Elections NL. The CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. External links will open in a new window. |
NL Votes 2007 »
- Williams faces daunting task of managing expectations
- Handed one of the most commanding mandates in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, Premier Danny Williams says he expects to face a cascade of requests for help during his second term.
- Former minister calls Liberal collapse 'catastrophic'
- Able to put their combined caucuses around a single card table, Newfoundland and Labrador's opposition parties are grappling with what life will be like in the shadow of a massive Tory majority.
- Efford keeping keen eye on Liberal leadership
- Former cabinet minister John Efford didn't hesitate Wednesday to indicate he is more than interested in taking over the reins of Newfoundland and Labrador's bedraggled Liberals.
- Williams leads Tory landslide in N.L.
- Danny Williams and his Progressive Conservatives were swept back into office Tuesday night by a massive lead over their political opponents.
- Heartbreak for Liberals as Grit vote collapses
- Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberals were overwhelmed Tuesday night, as a Tory wave of support claimed districts that had long been in the Grit camp.