ACTION REQUIRED: FAMILY CARE TEAM ON LIFE SUPPORT
Posted on
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2024
Today, Town Council and the Grand Falls-Windsor Community Healthcare Coalition are reaching out to the public with an update regarding a critical healthcare matter affecting our community. As many are aware, the provincial government opened a Family Care Team in Grand Falls-Windsor last year, with the goal of addressing the significant issue of thousands (4000+) of our citizens being without a family doctor. In the months since the Family Care Team’s establishment, the lack of staff, particularly family physicians, has resulted in only a very small number of patients being integrated into the Family Care Team.
Throughout the past few months, we have engaged in many discussions with all stakeholders, including Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, the provincial government and with doctors, to learn more about the challenges faced in staffing the Family Care Team. We know that the provincial government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services are seeking solutions for the staffing and services dilemma, and we are encouraged by these efforts. However, these discussions have been ongoing for weeks regarding a problem that’s persisted for years. We wish to state publicly that immediate action is needed, and we call upon the government to respond decisively and without further delay. Additionally, we are aware that a group of local doctors have offered help, and we know that additional recruiting of more primary care doctors is needed. We ask the provincial government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services to immediately move forward with the work that needs to be done to ensure our primary healthcare system is sufficient to meet the growing healthcare needs in our town.
The Town and Coalition are committed to improving healthcare services for those in our community by continuous advocacy for the Family Care Team and other resources. We are committed to the continuous follow-up on this situation and will keep you updated on any developments. Our priority continues to be the health and well-being of all citizens of Grand Falls-Windsor and the central region.
Sincerely,
Barry Manuel
Mayor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
barry.manuel@townofgfw.com
Cyril Farrell
Chair, GF-W Community Healthcare Coalition
gfwhealthcoalition@gmail.com
Media Contact:
Robyn Hannaford
Communications Officer, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
communications@townofgfw.com