News Release from Liberal Caucus

>>>
>>> News Release
>>>
>>> www.nsliberalcaucus.ca
>>>
>>> November 30, 2009
>>>
>>> Stephen McNeil, MLA
>>> Liberal Leader
>>>
>>> Harold “Junior” Theriault, MLA
>>> Digby-Annapolis
>>>
>>> MCNEIL: TIME FOR LEADERSHIP FROM PREMIER AND HEALTH MINISTER
>>>
>>> (Halifax, NS) Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the people of Long
>>> Island and Digby Neck deserve action from the Minister of Health and the
>>> Premier on the District Health Authority's inability to restore the
>>> services of their nurse practitioner.
>>>
>>> "The Minister of Health has plenty of evidence that this valuable health
>>> provider has the confidence of patients in that community, while the
>>> administration of the District Health Authority does not," said McNeil.
>>> "The letter of confession that the Board tried to force the nurse
>>> practitioner to sign is a clear indication of the lack of judgment at
>>> play."
>>>
>>> The nurse practitioner did not have her contract renewed in October.
>>> The community has been trying to negotiate with the District Health
>>> Authority, but has been stonewalled in its attempts.
>>>
>>> "The people know what they want - they want their nurse practitioner
>>> back," said area MLA Harold "Junior” Theriault. "The administration of
>>> the Health Authority has bullied Karen Snider and tried to ruin her
>>> reputation. It’s just not right."
>>>
>>> The community group has requested a meeting with the Minister of Health
>>> this week. McNeil and Theriault have sent a letter to both Premier
>>> Dexter and health minister Maureen MacDonald urging a meeting with Digby
>>> Neck/Long Island residents prior to Friday, December 4th, 2009.
>>>
>>> McNeil says the government's "hands off" approach has failed. The
>>> leader of the Official Opposition believes the methods employed by the
>>> District Health Authority are both unprofessional and unacceptable.
>>>
>>> "The people of Digby Neck and Long Island have been patient and
>>> persistent in supporting their nurse practitioner - now it is up to the
>>> Minister of Health to do her job and support the people of community,"
>>> said McNeil.