The Executive Director of the Coalition for Seniors has mixed feelings about healthcare changes announced in the province.
Cecile Cassista feels it should have been looked at a little differently, but she does recognize change was needed.
She is concerned about where the cuts were made.
“The fact that we are attacking the rural areas. It’s not the same in a rural area as a city setting, so it concerns me,” she said in an interview.
Cassista says it is important that seniors go to hospitals where services are available.
She adds if they are taken to hospital in the middle of the night, they usually go by ambulance.
“My mother-in-law fell and she broke her hip. She should have been sent directly to Edmundston Hospital, knowing full well that they couldn’t do anything at the Grand Falls Hospital without a doctor. So, she laid there in a lot of pain,” Cassista said.
She feels we are going to see extra congestion at some of the bigger hospitals.
“Unless they put in some extra parameters, because we do not have walk in clinics. We have after hours clinics and basically you have to make an appointment. That’s a critical piece that I think we have to look at,” she said.
Cassista says the changes are going to have to be closely monitored to ensure New Brunswickers are still getting adequate care.
“You never know if you’re going to have a major accident in the Grand Falls area. I am using the Grand Falls area because I am very familiar with it. All of these areas that have major industries… someone could get hurt,” she said.
