There you have it! It's official.

Doctors Careless with Word
July 14, 2008

The minister of health is accusing the association which represents doctors of being opportunistic and creating a false impression of a crisis. Ross Wiseman wants the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to quit using the word "crisis" when focusing on a particular community, region or medical field. On VOCM Open Line with Randy Simms this morning, Wiseman said the association is laying the groundwork for the next round of bargaining in nine months' time. The medical association declined immediate comment on the minister's accusations. Meanwhile, in reacting to a recommendation from the Canadian Association of Pathologists for improved testing for diseases such as breast cancer, Wiseman says the province has already done so. The minister says all medical labs in the province now have to follow an accreditation process.

A story by Natalie Musseau, taken from The Gulf News about the Home Care crisis in our area.

Hardy fears looming home care worker shortage
Low pay, high demand

NATALIE MUSSEAU
The Gulf News

Tears roll down Goldie Hardy's face as she pauses to find a voice for her fears.

She's scared that she will be forced to give up caring for two autistic men she considers part of her family because of the low wages given to home care workers.

Two of the four workers that help the Port aux Basques resident have told her they are looking elsewhere for work. Mrs. Hardy says that's because they simply can't make enough to live on the wage they are earning - under $9 per hour.

Her workers, like many others, are funded by the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

"It's not all about the money," said Mrs. Hardy, adding that all of her workers would have left for high-paying jobs on the mainland years ago if that was the case. More on the story ..Click here.

CRISIS,CRISIS,CRISIS,CRISIS,CRISIS,CRISIS,CRISIS....

Once again a cry is given. Will anyone in government respond?
From the VOCM Newsite.

Crisis in Home Care Industry
October 4, 2007

The home care sector of the Employer's Council says the industry has reached a crisis situation. The 15 professionally managed care operators say they can't do it anymore and are no longer taking new clients. Ann Whelan says agencies are getting at least a half dozen calls each day for new service but no new applicants for positions. Whelan says the industry is undervalued by government. She says when people can make more money with benefits at a local coffee shop than providing a key role in the health care system, something is wrong.