The Official Opposition is once again calling on the Conservative Government to improve consultation and communication after parents across Newfoundland and Labrador learn about a significant change to how children’s health information will be accessed once they turn 12 years of age.
This change came into effect with the implementation of CorCare back in April, however, parents and families are only learning about this change now as the school year comes to a close. This change was slipped into a letter mass emailed to parents, instead of explained or defended by government leadership.
Regardless of where people stand on the policy itself, one thing is clear: parents should have been consulted before a change of this magnitude was implemented.
Parents and guardians support their children through medical challenges, manage appointments, understand treatments, and advocate for their well-being. The Conservative Government should be removing barriers to care, not creating more red tape that makes it more difficult for families to access and coordinate important health information. Any policy that changes how families access and share important health information deserves a full and open discussion with those most impacted.
Consultation isn’t just a box to check after a decision has been made. It’s a critical part of building trust, identifying concerns, and ensuring policies work in practice.
Families deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard before major changes affecting their children are introduced. The Conservative Government and NL Health Services should take the time to engage with parents, listen to their concerns, and explain the rationale behind these changes.
When it comes to our children, parents and guardians should be part of the conversation from the beginning and not informed after the fact.
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