GENERAL ELECTION IN NEW BRUNSWICK September 22nd 2014 There are, at least, 6307 people who agree with me, that our health care system in New Brunswick is sick. So many of us, frustrated by the poor quality of health care that we get and feeling so helpless standing alone in front of our government who poorly manages our health care system. The ONLY time we are heard and listened to, is during election time. They want our vote so all of a sudden, all parties, all candidates, are concerned about our well-being and our opinions. They pretend to consult us during their mandate but we all know that once elected, they will do whatever they want. So, now is the time to let them know what we really think about their about them and their promises’, and about their ability to govern. If we don’t vote, we loose our privilege to complaint for the next 4 years. This is going to be a difficult decision to make. Vote liberal or conservative, and we will likely get more of the same. Under their respective time in power, health care quality has deteriorated to an alarming rate and they are unable to catch up to the aging population. A vote for the NDP, Green Party or the People’s Alliance of NB might be an alternative?... Personally, I have never voted for a particular party. I have in the past, voted either for the local person, or for the head of the party. Sometimes I have voted for a particular issue and sometimes, I have voted strategically. I have never nullified my vote but I guess that it is also an option of telling “them” that “none of the above names” are a solution. So, today, I am not telling you to vote for a particular party but I am asking you to go vote. It’s never been as important. Too many issues that need to be fix by our next government. To “like” my Facebook page where I discuss problems with our health care system is important; it reflects the dissatisfactions we, New Brunswicker, have with our health care system. But there’s nothing more powerful than your vote. To help you make up your mind, I am giving you links to the health platform of all the parties (some are still pending…) so that you know what each party is promising. As well, I have added a few questions on health care that you might want to ask your local candidates. Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick: “copy and paste to open documents” pcnb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ProvincialHealthPlan2013-2018.pdf pcnb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/PrimaryHealthCareFramework.pdf New Brunswick Liberal Party’s health plan (not yet available but you will eventually find it here!): nbliberal.ca/liberal-plan/ However, the Liberal Party would improve access to health care services: nbliberal.ca/post-news/liberals-would-improve-access-to-healthcare-services/ And also made a promise to empower advanced-care paramedics: nbliberal.ca/post-news/liberals-would-empower-advanced-care-paramedics/ New Democratic Party of New Brunswick: nbndp.ca/ (Health platform not yet published but you will eventually find it here) However, they are making at least 2 promises: Let the ambulance technicians practice advanced care and want to increase the number of residents in medical school by 20% so that more doctors would eventually practice in NB. nbndp.ca/12-months-of-change-costed-checklist/ Green Party of NB: greenpartynb.ca/en/issues/preventative-health-care People’s Alliance of NB:(copy and past link, see page 21-23) peoplesalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-PANB-Platform.pdf There is other interesting Internet site that talks about health care in New Brunswick. A Facebook page sponsored by the NB Medical Society: https://facebook/CareFirstLasanteenpremier?hc_location=timeline They are putting pressure on all parties to address 3 issues: 1. More nursing home beds 2. Shorter waiting time in the emergency room 3. A family doctor for all new-brunswicker All issues that we should be supporting. Now here is a list of questions that you can ask your local candidates: 1. For citizens of NB living up North: Since we often have to travel down south for many health care services, does your party intend to help cover the additional cost that patients and family have to incur? (See post June 2nd 2014) 2. For citizens of NB living up North: Since we often have to travel down south for many health care services, does your party intend to develop telemedicine so that follow-up consultations could be done in our own zone? (See post June 2nd 2014) 3. Will you change the law so that ambulance technicians, who have the proper training, administer advance care? (See post 14th and 28th June 2014) 4. Having to go to the hospital for blood test is costly (for the system and for the patients), so will you focus on opening up satellite Blood Test centers (like in large medical clinics)? (See post January 1st and 8th 2014) 5. Another simple way to save money is to change the present scheduling system for blood tests to the principal of walk-in clinic where no appointments are necessary, would your party support walk-in clinics? (See post January 1st 2014) 6. Why do we have to register a first time when we get to the hospital and then again in the department where we are going? Why not cut the first registration and have the respective department do the job (duplication of process $$) (see post January 1st 2014) 7. Since prevention is a cornerstone of health care, will your party reinstitute PERIODIC PHYSICAL EXAMS in the NB Medicare for family doctors? (See post January 18th and June 26th 2014) 8. What is your party’s strategy to help all new-brunswicker get a family doctor? 9. What is your party’s strategy to facilitate access to family doctors in small or semi-urgent situations (appointment within 24-48hrs)? (See post December 14th 2013 and May 25th 2014) 10. What is your party’s position on appointing an independent patient advocate with power to investigate and recommend changes? (See post January 10th 2014, June 7th and 26th 2014 and https://facebook/monica.mcnally.75 11. What is your party’s strategy to reduce waiting period for diagnostic procedures (CT Scan, MRI) or consultations with specialists? (See post January 8th and 9th 2014 and May 24th 2014) 12. How many nursing home beds will you open up in your 4-year mandate? 13. Can your party promise to stop making cuts on the back of nurses and LPN as well as lab technicians? 14. Will your party put efforts in having electronic health records as well as working toward having patients have their own medical smart card (like your bank card)? 15. What is your party’s strategy to reduce waiting time in the emergency room? (See post January 7th 2014) 16. What is your party’s strategy to improve triage in the emergency room? Will you permit the triage nurse to initiate a diagnostic panel as well as administer some medication (like in the case of a broken bone). And, if nurses are not allowed to order tests and medication, would you consider having nurse practitioners doing triage? (See post January 7th 2014) This is just a brief overview of some of the problems with our health care system in NB. If you have questions or comments as well as suggestions of other Internet site that might help us make our decision on how to vote, now is the time. I know one thing for sure: it can’t continue like this! We have to demand change and most of all, changes that will incorporate our well-being where we will be consider as a whole person. Denise Arsenault
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:56:42 +0000