In the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature Tuesday, NDP Leader Lorraine Michael asked about ER overcrowding at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, and she said the problem has persisted despite an ER Wait Times Strategy launched last year. Health and Community Services Minister Susan Sullivan said “incredible progress” has been made, “but it does take time.” She also referenced the deployment of rapid response teams in the strategy to deal with the needs of seniors in the community instead of them being forced to turn up at the ER. Ms. Sullivan said four such teams, double the number originally envisioned, will be in place “very early in the New Year.”
This Wednesday, Progressive Conservative MLA Kevin Parsons reminded the minister she had told the House in June 2012 that the government was very close to finalizing a paid family caregiver program, and that it would be announced very soon. “That was seventeen months ago,” he said, asking the minister if she will announce details of the paid family caregiver pilot project by this Christmas. “I will,” Ms. Sullivan promised.
