The Registered Nurses Union is strongly cautioning against further government spending on private health care.

The RNU was responding to the provincial government’s decision to ink a two-year deal with US-based Teledoc to provide virtual ER, and health care services to those without access to a family doctor.

RNU President Yvette Coffey calls the announcement a band-aid solution. She says virtual care is not appropriate for all patients and does not replace in-person, hands-on assessment.

She says the province needs more nurse practitioners and other health care professionals in a public health care system.

Coffey says privatizing health care does not improve health outcomes and only pours taxpayer dollars into private company coffers.