Health Minister Lela Evans said northern Labrador medical transport delays are unacceptable and suggested residents sue the N.L. government if they continue.
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Minister Lela Evans says medical transport delays in northern Labrador have become so unacceptable that residents should consider suing the provincial government if service does not improve.
Evans made the comments Wednesday morning on CBC Radio’s Labrador Morning , saying she could not accept remaining health minister while people on Labrador’s north coast continue to face delays getting to and from medical appointments in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“I can’t accept being the ... minister of health while my people continue to be treated like this,” Evans said.
The minister said 94 passengers were recently unable to get home, while other patients were trying to get out for care. She described the delays as insulting, upsetting and unacceptable, and said travel problems can affect whether people seek treatment in the first place.
Evans said she had high hopes for Medavie Health N.L., the transport provider, but has seen what she called an “erosion of service” since Medavie was contracted and since the province consolidated health authorities under N.L. Health Services. She also said the provider told her patient treatment “bordered on racism.” CBC News reported it had contacted Medavie Health N.L. for a response.
Evans said “drastic measures” are needed if the delays continue, including possible legal action against her own government.
“If it continues to go on, I would suggest that people in northern Labrador try to find a lawyer and actually have a class-action lawsuit for the failures and sue me, the minister of health,” Evans said. “Sue the government.”
Evans also raised the possibility of bypassing the provincial government and seeking federal support directly, saying northern Labrador is being treated like a “third-world country.” CBC News reported it had asked the premier’s office for a response.
The comments came hours before the Progressive Conservatives were set to release their first budget, adding political pressure to a health-care issue the minister says requires urgent attention.
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