Sackville is home to Mount Allison university, and many students rely on the services at the local hospital.
Gail Johnson attended the school with her siblings years ago. Her sister needed immediate medical assistance during the overnight, “If she hadn’t been able to be brought to Sackville Hospital, there wouldn’t have been enough time to get her to Moncton or wherever the next nearest hospital is, to save her life. She needed medical attention right away. I understand they are saying the ambulance times aren’t going to be affected, but it still takes time to go from point A to point B.”
The provincial government announced changes this week affecting six of New Brunswick’s hospitals.
Starting on March 11th, Emergency departments at hospitals including Sackville, Sussex, Saint-Anne-de-Kent and Grand Falls will be closed from midnight until 8am.
Day surgeries are also being cancelled at the Sackville Hospital.
Johnson feels these changes could deter some students from choosing Mount Allison especially if they have medical conditions that require them to have care nearby.
“Mount Allison is such a big part of that community that it could affect thousands of students. There are people who could possibly give a second thought of having their children attend when they know there is no emergency service nearby,” Johnson says.
