MGEU urges Minister to speak with front-line workers
Yesterday, MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky sent a letter to Health Minister Goertzen, calling for an urgent meeting re: media reports this week that the Western Manitoba Health Care Task Force is recommending the government close ERs in Boissevain, Deloraine, Killarney, and Melita and replace them with urgent care centres.
“I told him that both front-line health care workers and members of these communities are shocked and alarmed that anyone would even consider closing these ERs,” Gawronsky said. “When you live in rural Manitoba, something like your hospital is everything. Where you live shouldn’t determine the kind of care you receive when it comes to medical emergencies.”
She pointed out that in places like Boissevain – one of the communities slated to lose its EMS station – community members are doubly concerned with the prospect of now losing their ER as well.
“I reminded Minister Goertzen that when his government was in opposition, they fought hard against rural hospital closures,” Gawronsky said. “Right now, we are looking to him to show that same leadership. Cost-driven reforms are risky for patients and not the only way to find savings.”
Over the summer and fall, Gawronsky visited over 80 communities and 30 health care facilities across the province, including Boissevain, Melita and Killarney. It was a chance to hear directly from front-line workers about what they think could be done better, including scheduling of shifts.
“Numerous times over the last year, I have asked the Minister to meet directly with MGEU health care workers, to talk about how they feel health care services could be improved,” she said. “Unfortunately, we’re still waiting. So once again, I urged the Minister to meet with us, the sooner the better, to discuss alternatives to outright closing a lifeline in these communities.”