MCNEIL: TIME FOR LEADERSHIP FROM PREMIER AND HEALTH MINISTER
Date: Monday November 30, 2009

(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.

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