Opposition parties take aim at Nova Scotia premier over health-care 'crisis'
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But NDP Leader Claudia Chender says too many Nova Scotians are feeling left on their own to figure out how to get the care they need.
In the last 12 months, almost 10,000 people in the province's eastern zone left an emergency department without being seen — an annual increase of 47 per cent, the party said in a statement Wednesday.
"As Tim Houston celebrates his election anniversary, people who need health care are being told to wait," Chender said.
"Today, more families are without a family doctor, more people are leaving the ER without being seen, surgery wait times are longer and people are being forced to pay out of pocket for care they need."
Chender cited the example of Glace Bay, N.S., resident Ellen Bryden, who recently spent $2,000 to help her mother get an emergency eye operation that could only be done in Halifax. Bryden had to pay for gas, hotels and a rental a car.
"When I talk to people … across the province, health care is top of mind for everyone," Chender said. "Tim Houston's choices aren’t working for people, waits have gotten longer, the distance and cost to travel for care have increased, or people simply can’t get care at all.” “