Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Fit to Sit program is not fit for patients in the province, according to the opposition.

PC Health critic Barry Petten first raised concerns about the program in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The PCs learned about the program, which has been used for the last year, through access to information.

According to the documents, the program has been used in metro for the last year as aa way to expedite ambulance turnaround times at facilities in offload delay.

Essentially, paramedics use a flow chart to determine which patients can be transferred to the triage area of the ER.

Petten worries the program is leading to seniors being put in uncomfortable chairs while waiting for extended periods to see a doctor.

Health minister John Hogan says in terms of hospital protocols, the Fit to Sit program is par for the course.

“it basically is just standard triage process” says Hogan.

Petten has heard stories of seniors being transported to hospital by ambulance, and left in “uncomfortable” wheelchairs “for 18 to 24 hours.”

Petten argues that there’s “no compassion in the healthcare system.” He says seniors should be offered a comfortable chair and shown the respect they deserve.