MLA questions premier over empty beds at veterans unit
Legislative health and wellness critic and Pictou West MLA Karla MacFarlane wants to see vacant beds in a Pictou veterans unit filled.
According to The Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou, there are 12 beds that are occupied and eight that are empty beds at the facility.
“Why are we not using these extra eight beds here in Pictou at the Veterans Unit?” said MacFarlane in an interview.
On Oct. 25, when MacFarlane asked this to Nova Scotia premier and minister responsible for military relations Stephen McNeil, he said that he agreed with the question and that he is working with the federal government to see that the beds are filled with veterans first and then with non-military patients who need it.
MacFarlane says that it’s taking the government too long to take action on the issue that impacts both veterans and nonmilitary patients.
“My whole point is, why aren’t you?” said MacFarlane.
The 20 beds at the Northumberland facility are “contract beds,” meaning that the cost for care is provided by the federal government and not the province. Under this agreement, the province can offer those beds to non-military residents on a short-term basis.
According to Nova Scotia Health Authority spokesperson Carla Adams, those beds have been accessed in the past to free up beds in crowded hospitals.
But any changing of these contract beds over to long-term care would need to be done in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada and DHW.
Given the current demands for long-term care beds in Nova Scotia, MacFarlane says the province needs to take more immediate action.
“If it’s a matter of red tape, let’s get through it and change it so we can provide better health care for the people who need it.”