Stop the cuts and fix long-term care
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This article was published 26/11/2020 (918 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Manitoba, one thing has become clear — a strong, public healthcare system has never been more important.
With case counts across our province on the rise, Manitobans deserve to know their government will be there to keep them safe, while preserving access to health care. Unfortunately, that seems to be further from reality than ever before. Whether it’s the CancerCare clinic at Concordia Hospital closing its doors, personal care homes across our community stretched too thin, or mixed messages from Premier Pallister about public health orders, the Province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has gotten a failing grade.
A few weeks ago, I heard first-hand from concerned members of our community about how the province’s inadequate pandemic plan and cuts to health care have hit close to home. While hosting a virtual town hall to discuss the proposed closure of Concordia Hospital’s CancerCare clinic, a patient told me her story of how much of a “nightmare” battling cancer has been during the pandemic.
She said that being forced to Health Sciences Centre on regular basis would put unbelievable strain on her treatment, yet the premier has refused to listen or acknowledge her concerns or those of other patients.
These sentiments are nothing new. Between closing our local emergency room, our community clinics, and now slashing CancerCare, time and time again this government has not listened to the priorities of our neighbourhood when it comes to healthcare.
It’s not just our local hospital that’s under attack, either. There have been COVID-19 outbreaks in personal care homes across Manitoba, including at Concordia Place, Bethania, and River East personal care homes. These outbreaks have had heartbreaking consequences, with too many Manitobans losing their loved ones due to the -province’s refusal to act.
While this government has stood idly by, our NDP team has demanded they take action. We introduced a motion asking for immediate government intervention at for-profit PCHs; we brought forward a bill that would demand the government to listen to public health experts like Dr. Roussin during health emergencies; and we’ve asked it to stop any further cuts to health care during a pandemic, like the cut to CancerCare at Concordia Hospital.
Nothing is more important than your family’s health, and it’s time the government take action to recognize that fact.
If you have any thoughts on how we can improve healthcare in Manitoba, reach out to me anytime at 204-654-1857, or matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca
Matt Wiebe
Concordia constituency report
Matt Wiebe is the NDP MLA for Concordia.