A trip to the emergency room with an ambulance in Newfoundland and Labrador does not mean you will receive care faster than those in the waiting room.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, health critic PC Barry Petten questioned the treatment of elderly people in emergency departments — and called attention to the province’s “tailoring” policy to deal with ambulance unloading delays.

“We learned from an access to information request that the government has an adaptation project that actually moves seniors and others from stretchers to waiting room chairs,” Petten told the legislature.

“Is this the new minister’s strategy to deal with the critical ambulance shortage?”

Health Minister John Hogan said the adaptation programme, introduced in October 2023, was a form of triage.

For example, someone who calls an ambulance because they have a heart attack or stroke will receive care more quickly than someone who calls an ambulance after breaking a bone.

A person with a broken limb would be considered “fit to sit” in the waiting room until staff could attend to the patient, according to Hogan.

“People’s emergency situations are different,” Hogan said.

The policy allows ambulances to pick up patients on stretchers and respond to multiple calls.

When Hogan said he didn’t understand Petten’s complaint, Petten said his concern was focused on the seniors. He said those with a broken or sprained arm are not the problem.

“Predominantly, those people who come in the ambulance are elderly,” Petten said.

During question period, Petten said the PCs spoke to a family who found their mother in the waiting room sitting in a steel wheelchair after being rushed to hospital by ambulance .

“If you’re stuck in the ER and a senior comes in and they don’t have something life-threatening, put them in a comfortable chair,” Petter said.

“Give them a glass of water. Show them the respect they deserve.”

He asked the province to cancel the adaptation program and asked if they agreed with the policy.

Hogan told Petten that the emergency room isn’t just for old people.

“When someone shows up in an ambulance, they’re properly triaged by the emergency room nurse,” Hogan said.

“This work is done by professionals, not politicians.”

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