Health Indifference

New Brunswick has had both some scares and some tragedies when it came to healthcare this year. Citizens of the province are beginning to feel less confident when it comes to counting on their local emergency rooms. 

No matter where you live, healthcare is unquestionably important. We tend to praise our free healthcare system here in Canada as we’re very fortunate compared to other countries around the world. But are New Brunswickers comfortable and confident with their current healthcare situation? 

 

New Brunswick citizen Savannah Smith shared her unfortunate experience with the hospital:

“My family friend, who is 40 and Indigenous, was denied cancer treatment because she was a past addict. She’s been clean for 20 years. And now, she only has four months left to live because they prolonged the treatment and neglected her and canceled appointments when they shouldn’t have been canceled,” Smith said.

According to a survey commissioned by Radio-Canada Acadie, half of New Brunswickers said they’re afraid they won’t get healthcare in time if or when they need it. This anxiety has risen since two deaths took place in New Brunswick ER’s and waiting rooms between late July and mid-August of this year. 

 

A 26-year-old rape victim was even sent home one day in August and told to come back for an appointment at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.  

About a quarter of the respondents to the Radio-Canada Acadie survey said they agree that healthcare is available when needed in a timely manner, while half disagreed. 

Fredericton resident Jacob Kershaw has faced his share of struggles with getting the care he needs:

“I’ve come here multiple times with a pretty rare disease, and they won’t see me unless I come in through an ambulance. I’ve waited the longest 12 hours in the ER, without being seen at all,” Kershaw said.

The question begs: Does New Brunswick healthcare need improvement? And if so, what changes will be made to help support the demand of citizens in need?