Liberals Propose to Enhance Responsiveness of Health Care
“Whether you are a member of a young family or a senior planning for long-term needs, it’s important for government to help build a responsive health care system,” the Premier said today.
“We want to make sure Islanders get the right care at the right time. I believe the measures we are outlining today will take us a long way toward achieving that goal.”
The Liberals are proposing the following measures to further improve Island health care:
New Physician Recruitment Measures: Medical students who access provincially sponsored seats will be required to practice on the Island for at least five years. This will provide the Island with access to four graduating doctors per year. Also, existing recruitment and retention will continue. For example, three doctors in our provincial residency program have signed commitments to practice on the Island for 2012.
Enhancement of Primary Health Centre Network: To further complement the existing network of Primary Health Centres, a new facility will be added in Morell and will open in 2012.
Further Recruitment of Health Professionals: An additional $2.25 million will be invested to add 25 Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Licensed Practical Nurses to the complement. These positions are in addition to current recruitment efforts.
Educating Health Professionals - Here on the Island: The Liberals are proposing to expand training opportunities for Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and LPNs through the UPEI School of Nursing and Holland College. This will continue the positive trend in which over 90 percent of our graduates are recruited to work on the Island.
Reduced Surgical Wait Times: The addition of a fifth operating room at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will permit an additional 1,200 surgeries per year. “Our health care system will become more responsive - and access to much-needed services will be enhanced under our plan,” Premier Ghiz said. “Although I am proud of the Liberal health care record, we have to continually work on the system - so that it continues to evolve and respond.”
Date: September 14, 2011
Liberals Propose to Enhance Responsiveness of Health Care
Contact: Jamie MacPhail
Title: Leader’s Tour
Phone: (902) 394-6807
E-mail: jamie@liberal.pe.ca
