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News
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Sweeney says long-term care facility for Conception Bay
North fell off radar screen April 5, 2006
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George Sweeney, Opposition Critic for Government Services and MHA for the
District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, is very disappointed that a long-term
care facility proposed for Conception Bay North was not included in this
year’s budget. "A long-term care facility for the Carbonear-Conception Bay North area was designated as a number one priority in 2002 by an independent assessment committee," said Sweeney. "This area ranked equal to Corner Brook as needing a facility of this kind to help improve the quality of lives of our seniors. It now appears that government has revamped the long-term care priority list, for whatever reason, and seniors in this area have to pay the price. "I have asked several times why this facility has apparently dropped off the radar screen and no one seems to be able to provide a response. I can only assume this was a politically based decision. With our health care board now including St. John’s, it appears that we are an insignificant player in the board’s planning and proceedings. "Once again, the needs of rural Newfoundland and Labrador are being compromised. We have seen that the Williams’ government is not fully standing up for rural areas and not making the investments that are required. When you consider that other aspects of health care are seriously deteriorating throughout the Conception Bay North area, we should all be concerned about the long-term implications of this momentum towards rural dislocation. "Not only do I challenge the Premier to ensure our health care services are stabilized and even enhanced, I also call upon citizens and leaders in our region to make their voices heard about this important issue. We have to stand united against the rural drain that is slowly taking place throughout our communities and our province."
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