A new Probe Research Poll commissioned by the MGEU has found that the majority of Winnipeggers disagree with the Manitoba Government's changes to emergency medical services such as closing emergency rooms.
“I’m not surprised by the results one bit. Everyone I talk to continues to raise concerns over the changes the government is making,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky.
The provincial government has announced that Seven Oaks, Concordia, and Victoria hospitals will lose their emergency rooms, while urgent care centers will open at Seven Oaks and Victoria. The Misericordia Health Centre will also lose its urgent care clinic. Once fully implemented, full ER and surgical services will only be available at the Health Sciences Centre, the St. Boniface Hospital, and the Grace Hospital.
The poll was designed and conducted by Probe Research and randomly sampled 600 people living in Winnipeg over the phone.
Key findings include:
- 60 percent of respondents think the changes will
increase ERwait times;
- 69 percent of respondents don’t think we have
too many ERs; and
- 54 percent of respondents don’t support the
changes being made to the emergency services.
“We’re not saying no to change, we’re saying slow down and consult with those delivering medical services on the front line,” said Gawronsky. “Our premier made a commitment to protect and invest in public services, and cutting public services like closing ERs is the exact opposite.”