Features

Lord's Prescription

On June 9, 2004 Bernard Lord's government delivered some tough medicine for New Brunswick's health care system.

The four-year plan called for 298 hospital bed closures, the elimination of hospitals in Woodstock, Dalhousie, Caraquet and St. Quentin, staff layoffs and consolidation of non-clinical services like laundry and food.

The changes were supposed to save $46 million, and make the province healthier.

The money was to help pay for four community health centres, create new and improved programs, such as methadone clinics in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton and vaccination programs for children.

Despite the new programs and healthy hopes, thousands protested the plan on the steps of the provincial legislature.

They carried picket signs calling for the resignations of both the premier and former Health Minister Elvy Robichaud.

Two years later, many people are still angry about the changes, especially in Woodstock and northern New Brunswick, where small communities equate the loss of hospital services with a loss of faith in their ability to thrive and attract new people and jobs.

Most of the hardest-hit communities voted for Liberal MLAs in the last election, so the Tory party may not be affected by lingering resentment over the changes. However, with redistribution, it's anyone guess how anger over the health reforms will play out on election day.

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