Article contentTo achieve this NLHS says it is realigning care models to make sure on-site coverage is maintained. They are also working with NL Medical Association and the Department of Health and Community Services to ensure the alternative models are supported. Article contentNLHS said that they are looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the physician group to ensure service remains uninterrupted. Article contentRESIDENT PROGRAM REMOVALArticle contentWhat Howell could say, or confirm, is that the trigger of the crisis has to do with the removal of the resident program, which was a decision made by Memorial University. Howell said that the group of physicians that sent the letter, along with NLHS and the university, have all been working to find a solution to ensure the program continues.Article content“I know that the NLMA has been advocating on their behalf, and certainly, just recently had the chance to sit with NLHS, the CEO as well as the executive director and the president of the NLMA, and this was one of the first items that we had the opportunity just to discuss when I came into this role. And we know that they’ve been seized with trying to find a solution,” said Howell.Article contentArticle content St. Clare’s Hospital in downtown St. John’s.Keith Gosse/The Telegram Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith GosseArticle content‘RESOLUTION IS IMMINENT’Article contentHowell added that she is confident that the plan developed by NLHS and the NMA will cover all the hours identified as a result of the removal of the residency program.Article contentBecause everything is up in the air with how things will go, one might wonder how Howell is so confident that there will not be any gaps in services.Article contentWell, she said that nobody has abandoned their post, and while she doesn’t agree with the tactics taken by these doctors, “nobody has thrown down and went home.”Article content“We do believe that we’re in a place right now where a resolution is imminent,” said Howell.Article contentOTHER ISSUES OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTIONArticle contentIt was reported by CBC that safety was a big concern for these doctors, not just for patients but for their own. According to CBC, the letter reported cases of those working 36-hour shifts and facing burnout.Article contentHowell didn’t say if the upcoming plan would address those concerns, but linked it to ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.Article contentArticle content“We’ve done a lot of good things, but that’s not to say we’ve got it all figured out right now,” said Howell.Article content“But we will continue to build on our recruitment and retention plan and want to recruit the high qualified staff to provide care here.”Article content Jim Dinn, NDP leader, called health care staff “the goose that lays the golden egg,” and the government needs to treat them as such and listen to their concerns. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentRECEIVED A DIFFERENT LETTER: NDPArticle contentNDP leader, Jim Dinn, who was present during Howell’s media availability, received a letter signed by over 30 health workers at St. Clare’s showing big problems in health care. Article contentHe said that the letter warns that homeless people are crowding the ER because they have nowhere else to go, making things harder for patients and staff. Dinn added that these issues have been raised for over a year and a half, but nothing was done. Article contentDinn thinks doctors only took strong action after trying everything else. He calls the letter from them a “cry for help” and says the government must listen, support staff properly, and fix the bigger problems that hurt both patients and workers.Article content
A resolution is imminent, says NLs Health Minister when it comes to the possible joint resignation of five St. Clares doctors
