Media reports this week once again show how Premier Brian Pallister is moving away from his commitment to protect and invest in public services. The Premier has now publicly admitted that he won’t rule out closing Emergency Rooms in the province.
“Like most Manitobans, I was alarmed when the Premier said he was even considering closing emergency rooms,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “When my hometown ER was closed almost 5 years ago in Vita it took away a sense of safety and security knowing help was just around the corner. Our community has never been the same and never will be.”
The Premier has also confirmed he’s not ruling out layoffs of front line public service workers at this time. News of this follows the closure of the St. Boniface Quick Care Clinic and the elimination of the Hospital Home Team Program.
“Manitobans are right to be concerned with the comments coming from the Premier,” said Gawronsky. “The fact is, ERs, quick care clinics and hospital home teams provide valuable public health care services. Taking away access to those services will hurt Manitoba families and goes against what he promised Manitobans during the election.”
Gawronksy also questioned what kind of additional pressures this would place on paramedics.
“Will this mean paramedics will be driving longer distances
to get their patients to hospital, further tying up ambulances for long
stretches on the road? How does that
help or improve patient care?” Gawronsky said.