FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2023
Statement by Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) on announcement of virtual primary care
St. John’s – While RNU encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have no access to primary care to take advantage of the recently announced virtual primary care, I must offer a strong word of caution. Investing more money in a private healthcare, such as private agency nursing, is not fiscally sustainable and it erodes our publicly funded healthcare system.
This announcement is a band aid solution. Virtual care is not appropriate for all patients and does not replace in person, hands on assessment.
What Newfoundland and Labrador needs is more Nurse Practitioners and other healthcare providers in our public healthcare system to provide more access to primary care. This includes more NP led clinics and empowering them to work to their entire scope.
Privatizing healthcare does not improve health outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It simply pours taxpayer dollars into the coffers of companies whose only concerns are their bottom line and turning a healthy profit for their stockholders.
Only a well funded public healthcare system will place patient health and their outcomes as the standard for care. Government needs to continue investing in the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in our publicly funded system. Only investments like this will secure and guarantee the access to primary care Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need and expect.
Yvette Coffey, RN
President
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
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The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador represents more than 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners working in acute care, long-term care, community, education, and research.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Communications Specialist
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
Tel: (709) 691-6890
Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca