Residents outraged over Cape Breton hospital closures
Concerned citizens shouted in anger, worry and disgust during the Liberal government’s announcement regarding Cape Breton hospital closures on Monday.
More than 200 people listened to the new plan to update the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s health-care system which included closing the hospitals in New Waterford and North Sydney.
People were also upset they weren’t given a chance to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
Lila Briggs from Sydney left during Premier Stephen Mcneil’s speech, which was last, because she was too distraught.
“We’re done here. We’re done. We’re losing our hospitals. ey can sugar-coat it all they want, we know what’s going on,” she said, ghting back tears.
“I’m very upset. ey come in here, they take everything and then they go back to Halifax.”
Stuart Macdonald was very vocal during the presentations, booing the Liberal MLAS and calling the premier a “murderer.” During Mcneil’s speech, security asked the Sydney Mines resident to leave.
“ ey’re stripping us of what we had. Payments from Ottawa don’t come here, now they’re closing our hospitals, how long before the airport closes? How long before they say, ‘oh we’re taking CN and moving it to New Brunswick?’” he asked.
“Stephen Mcneil doesn’t care for Cape Breton ... We should stop sending our taxes to Halifax because we’re getting nothing. All we get is a stick up the rear end.”
Florence resident Dawn Reid could be seen shaking her head and talking with her friends during the presentation. She said people in Cape Breton are “passionate” about what is happening with health care.
“There are people dying … going from Northside to Sydney so that 30 minutes (it takes to get there) makes a big di erence, doesn’t it?
“Mcneil doesn’t care. He’s a liar. ey’re all liars. ey don’t answer emails. If it gets uncom- fortable they block you on Facebook … It’s ridiculous.”
Anthony Sturgess was there with his wife Rose Sturgess and their three-year-old son, Kenneth. While they didn’t seem angry, the couple was concerned the changes would result in hospital overcrowding.
Last winter when Anthony had the u, the Glace Bay resident spent two-and-a-half days on a gurney in the hall of Glace Bay Hospital before he could get a bed at Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
“With the changes they are making, the emergency rooms are going to be a lot more crowded because of all the over ow from Northside and New Waterford,” he said.
“Next year, when flu season hits, it’s going to be crazy, it’s going to be worse than last year.”
Although it seemed the majority of the crowd was upset by the announcement, there were a few who were pleased with it.
“I am very happy with it,” said a local woman who wished to remain anonymous because she works for the government.
“People have to grow. We need change.”