Protest outside Province House over loss of nurse practitioner

Snider was the full time nurse practitioner serving roughly 1,500 residents on the Islands and Digby Neck until she was let go from her position on Oct. 8. Her contract was not renewed at the end of a probationary period, although South West Health acknowledges that her skills were not at issue.

After a public meeting Oct. 19 in Freeport drew more than 200 concerned area residents, South West Health met with area representatives who were hoping to have Snider reinstated. However, that was not one of the proposals that came out of the meeting.

The next step was an organized demonstration outside of Province House Oct. 28. “It was a good natured demonstration. We were there to make a point,” said Islands resident Andy Moir, a member of the island’s health liaison committee.

He found it incredible that so many people gave up an entire day and used money out of their own pockets to travel to Halifax for the protest.

Moir, along with Municipality of Digby warden Jim Thurber, Digby resident Bob Handspiker, and Digby-Annapolis MLA Harold Theriault each made a public address during the protest.

Following the protest, Moir, Thurber and Islands resident Robert Outhouse met with Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. “The fact that she took that much time to listen and discuss all of the options that could lead to the reinstatement of Karen says to me anyway she is taking this issue seriously and is looking for a resolution that would satisfy the community,” Moir said.

He said they are not interested in having another nurse practitioner come in because they have Snider who is a perfectly fine nurse practitioner and their discussion with the health minister was focused on the option to reinstate Snider. “There was nothing left unsaid and the minister is perfectly clear as to what our position is and I believe the fact she is taking the time to listen and look at it carefully, we are taking her at her word she will do what she can to act in the best interest of the community,” Moir added.

He expected to receive a progress report by Nov. 2.

Among Islands residents who attended the protest was Laurie Thurber, who was adamant about the views of those outside Province House. “We want her back fair and square, that’s it,” she said.

Freeport residents Rodney and Let Stark both thought the protest went well and support the re-employment of Snider. “We need the health coverage down here, we can’t loose our nurse practitioner. We don’t have doctor coverage down here. Part-time just isn’t going to cut it, we need full-time coverage,” said Leta Stark.

She and her husband have to travel almost an hour to Digby General Hospital, where the emergency department is frequently closed, meaning additional travel to Yarmouth or Kentville. “You can’t make an appointment to be sick,” Stark said.

While there is a part-time nurse practitioner coming to the Islands Health Clinic, it isn’t enough, she said.

If someone wakes up with a temperature of 104 degrees they cannot wait a few days to see a nurse practitioner. “When I first moved into the area in the early 1970s, we had a full-time doctor down here. Digby hospital had every service imaginable—and right now it’s usually closed and they only have a few active beds,” Stark said. ldelong@digbycourier.ca