Opposition calling on government to create a human resource strategy in light of emergency room closures

    Friday, 5 January 2024 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Barry Petten says he has seen pictures of patients sat on floors, stretchers in hallways, and sick seniors waiting days for a bed.

    Opposition health critic Barry Petten, says the Liberals love a good photo op, but just don’t seem to have a plan to follow it.  He has seen pictures of patients sat on floors, stretchers in hallways, and sick seniors waiting days for a bed. Petten says emergency rooms are overcrowded and operating over capacity, and NL Health Services tweeted recently, “if you don’t have an emergency don't go to the emergency department.” Petten says NL has been waiting 8 years for a health human resources strategy and there are still 136,000 people in NL without a family doctor. He says there are 600 nursing vacancies and emergency rooms around the province routinely close because of a lack of staff. 

     

    To report an error, submit a news tip, or provide feedback, please e-mail news@bayfm.ca or call (709) 637-0183.

    More from Local News

     

     

     

    BayFM recognizes support from the following agencies:

                        

    Today's Weather

    • Corner Brook

      Heavy Rain

      High: 6°C | Low: -6°C

    • Deer Lake

      Sleet

      High: 7°C | Low: -6°C

    • Stephenville

      Heavy Rain

      High: 5°C | Low: -4°C

    Recently Played

    Podcasts

    • BayFM On-Demand

      32nd annual Tree of Memories

      32nd annual Tree of Memories celebration this week, in support of Western Regional Hospital Foundation

    • Sunday Night Geek

      Sunday Night Geek, November 30, 2025

      Sunday Night Geek, November 30, 2025

    • The Plain Truth

      The Plain Truth, Wednesday November 26, 2025

      Host Paula Sheppard's guests this week are Destiny Hopkins, Lead Coordinator for the Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence Project with the Corner Brook Status of Women's Council and Michelle Maloney, Violence Prevention and SARA Project Coordinator