N.S. premier defends health-care changes, calls for a ‘reimagining’ of care

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is defending his government’s sweeping changes to health care in Cape Breton, saying the status quo is no longer acceptable.

McNeil says rather than shoring up aging infrastructure with escalating capital costs, the province examined the best way to deliver health care.

He says there is an opportunity to reimagine health care in the province and the new delivery model announced Monday will improve service in Cape Breton.

The province says it will close two hospitals and expand two others, while also building two new community health centres and long-term care facilities.

The changes have been met with criticism on the island, with politicians booed at the news conference announcing the changes.

NDP Leader Gary Burrill says no one questions that a new path is needed for health care in Cape Breton, but he called the Liberal government’s approach “arrogant and high-handed.”

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