Reduced hours at Sussex ER are shaping up to be election issue – New Brunswick [Video]

The emergency room of the Sussex Health Centre has been closed overnight for the last 18 months as a temporary measure in response to staffing shortages, but voters in the town of just under 5,000 say the lack of 24-hour access is their top election issue.

“It’s one of the most important issues,” said Kathy Starkey. “As you age, you know, if you’ve got to travel an hour to get to an emerge, it’s life-threatening.”

“Health care needs to be looked at more closely.”

The issue has been highlighted recently after Grant Jordan suffered a heart attack in the parking lot 18 minutes after the ER closed for the night and had to be transported to Saint John where he received emergency surgery and received two splints.

Community member Denise Crossaboom said the ER can’t continue to operate on reduced hours.

“People’s lives are being lost, we need it open full-time,” she said.

“By the time you take the …