Former MLA critical of new MLA
Martin spreading unfounded fear about new health centre: Wilton
The former MLA for Cape Breton Centre says the current MLA is spreading incorrect information about the new collaborative health centre.
“(She has) an obligation to accurately inform,” said former Liberal MLA Dave Wilton, who was defeated by Tammy Martin in the May provincial election.
Wilton said he was taken aback by the NDP MLA’s comments in the Oct. 11 edition of the Cape Breton Post, suggesting Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey did not know about the collaborative health-care facility announced for New Waterford.
“It has been made abundantly clear time and time again that the minister is well aware of the project status,” Wilton said.
Wilton said Martin doesn’t seem to understand projects like a new health centre take time and proper consideration to ensure it’s done properly. “Currently the process of selecting the proper location is underway. It seems lost to MLA Martin that it would be inappropriate for Minister Delorey to speculate on that decision until it has been finalized.”
Wilton said Martin held a public meeting and suggested the new health-care centre could replace the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital.
“That’s the way she framed it. An unfounded claim that can only be accurately described as fearmongering.”
Wilton pointed out that upgrades to the New Waterford hospital have been ongoing including a project to upgrade the sprinkler system.
Wilton said the health-care centre is a project that didn’t happen overnight or even during the life of one government.
“This is a project decades in the making thanks to the dedicated and passionate folks who have brought it to where it is today.”
Wilton said research has shown this type of collaborative centre is the type of atmosphere where doctors want to work.
“This project is going to have a positive influence on our community, so why is she against it?”
On April 5, Premier Stephen McNeil announced a community health centre would be built in New Waterford to house health-care providers.
In a previous story in the Cape Breton Post Dr. Peter Littlejohn, chair of the New Waterford Community Healthcare Centre Board, said the New Waterford hospital will not be losing any services as a result of the new collaborative care centre.