December 4, 1996
(Health)

The Opposition is acting in an irresponsible manner when false and misleading claims about the quality of health care are raised in the House ofAssembly and in the media said Health Minister Lloyd Matthews. "Such claims, which have no basis in fact," said Mr. Matthews, "serve only to alarm the public where there is no cause for alarm."

Mr. Matthews pointed to several recent allegations that have not been factual and have since been corrected by the appropriate officials in the health system. For instance, the Opposition raised concerns that ambulance attendants were assisting in operating facilities in the Bonavista hospital due to a lack of nurses. "As there are generally no surgical procedures carried out in that facility, it is difficult to envision how such an incident could occur," said Matthews. Subsequent follow-up with the private ambulance service in the region could not substantiate any claims of this nature.

"In addition," said the minister, "the Opposition made claims that changes in housekeeping were jeopardizing patient care in our operating room facilities in St. John's. The Health Care Corporation immediately reviewed such concerns and stated that no changes in staffing or scheduling had taken place in cleaning procedures."

With respect to emergency room physicians, no one has been laid off. What occurred was a change in scheduling with some movement within the system. "Once the question was raised in the House, I stated no one had been laid off and that has since been confirmed by Health Care Corporation officials."

On an additional matter, the Opposition claimed the government was covering up a report into the management and delivery of health services under the jurisdiction of the Peninsulas Health Care Corporation. Since that accusation was made, the Leader of the Opposition was asked to withdraw those comments which he subsequently did. "I urge the Opposition to follow suit with respect to the other false and misleading claims made over the past couple of weeks," added Mr. Matthews.

The minister concluded: "I ask the Opposition to clearly investigate any and all allegations raised about our health care system before making public statements that are incorrect and cause undue alarm for the public."

Contact: Jill Sooley, (709) 729-1377.