(February 6, 2021) – PC Candidates Chris Tibbs (Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans) and Pleaman Forsey (Exploits) are sounding the alarm after a letter from senior medical staff at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre (CNRHC) warns of cuts to services.

The letter, sent on February 4, warns of cuts to laboratory services at the CNRHC that would see laboratory samples processed at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre, rather than at the Central Newfoundland facility.

According to the letter, changes where the services are offered would have a negative affect on patients in Central Newfoundland, with the senior medical staff strongly advocating the services are not moved to the James Paton facility, near Gander.

“It’s shocking that medical professionals felt the need to pen this letter in the first place. The people of Central Newfoundland need the best medical services available to them and moving these services would hurt the level of care available in the surrounding area.

Government needs to listen to these professionals and halt the change in service immediately,” said Chris Tibbs, PC Candidate for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans.

The letter states clearly the physicians are not acting out of political agenda, but instead are putting their concerns for the healthcare of people in Central Newfoundland first and foremost.

“Between this reduction of services at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre and the Liberal government’s refusal to give 24-hour emergency services at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre in Botwood, it’s clear the Liberals are working against the best interest of patients of Central Newfoundland. It has to stop and the medical professional’s advice must be listened to,” said Pleaman Forsey, PC Candidate for Exploits.

PC Leader Ches Crosbie penned a letter stating his commitment to medical services in Central Newfoundland.

“It is clear to me that the Liberal decision to reduce laboratory services at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre is the wrong decision,” wrote Crosbie, in the letter.

The PC Party Blue Book states a commitment to reversal of cuts to laboratory services in the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre on page 56.
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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CNRHC Medical Staff - Response