THERIAULT: HEALTH MINISTER FAILS HER FIRST TEST AND THE PEOPLE OF DIGBY NECK
Date: Thursday December 10, 2009

(Digby, NS) The MLA for Digby-Annapolis says Maureen MacDonald has
failed her first test as Minister of Health and has failed the people of
Digby Neck.

Harold "Junior" Theriault says MacDonald has a responsibility to the
1500 people who depend on the services of the Islands Health Centre.
Since the South West Nova
District Health Authority dismissed the permanent nurse practitioner,
residents have had sporadic health care services in the community.

"The people of Digby Neck want to know why the Minister of Health
continues to back the District Health Authority, when it has lost the
confidence of the people it is supposed to serve," said Theriault. "The
unfair treatment of a dedicated health care professional has created a
lack of trust among residents. They need answers."

The Minister has repeatedly refused to deal directly with the dismissal
of Karen Snider, the nurse practitioner, while publicly backing the
District Health Authority.

"The Minister is using every possible opportunity to insulate herself
from the concerns and desires of the people who use that clinic," said
Theriault. "She is failing to take responsibility for the delivery of
healthcare to the people of Digby Neck. She is letting them down."

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