2009-04-22
15:40:11
(Health Minister Mike Murphy – file photo)
Health Minister Mike Murphy is drawing a line in the sand — he won’t tolerate the Emergency Room at the Regional Hospital being shut down because doctors are refusing to work overtime.
Murphy tells CHSJ News he wants the Region “B” Health Authority to resolve some outstanding internal issues with the ER doctors — he says funding is in place for increased overtime rates and additional doctors.
The Minister says he expects the chair of the Health Authority to report back to him within ten days.
The Health Authority closed the Sussex Emergency Room on short notice Friday night so the doctor could be transferred to the Regional Hospital to cover the emergency room — Murphy says doctors here refused to work overtime hours to keep the facility open and he says there are legislative options available to ensure the safety of residents.
