Health Care Crisis

Health Care Crisis in PEI

Generally it is not the role of a municipal councillor to become involved in the debate over provincial health care, however, when I have residents calling me because they feel their city councillor will speak up for their concerns, then I felt obligated to do so. There are people in my ward who do not have access to a family doctor, including myself, and believe they are not receiving the health care they deserve.

In confidence, I had a manager in the health care system phone me and discuss the state of health delivery in the province and, in particular, the Summerside area. We discussed how all of a sudden, the heath care situation will be solved by throwing more money towards “band-aid solutions”- we need a more detailed and innovative plan!

Some points to be considered by our political parties should be:

Invest in preventative health care by providing help to municipalities so that we can provide programs such as free weight loss programs, free swim programs, free fitness center memberships, and other free programs like a free walking track for residents. Municipal governments are closest to the people, provide most of the services, and most receive the peanuts in regards to tax revenue. Provide more funding and pay a fair equalization to our towns and cities so they can provide preventative health care programs.
Take the PST off sporting, dance and recreational equipment.
Have nurse practitioners in our emergency rooms filling prescriptions instead of having people sit there for hours (who do not have a family doctor) to have a doctor perform this task.
Give pharmacists more flexibility to re-fill simple prescriptions (they are experts in medication)
Allow LPNs to deliver medication in the hospital (utilize their skills)
Look at our traditional delivery and change it! Obviously it is not working!
For residents who do not have access to a family doctor, give us a tax break! We are not receiving the service so why pay the same taxes? Research what is done in other countries and talk with front line workers, doctors, nurses, and others to come up with solutions.