(January 20, 2022) – Pleaman Forsey, MHA for the District of Exploits, says that the pending closure of the Bishops Falls Medical Clinic will leave even more in the region without a family physician. This area is already critically short.

“The closure of the Bishops Falls Medical Clinic due to the retirement of Dr. Bruce is yet another blow for accessing medical care in the Central region. The shortage of family physicians in our province is at a critical level. Many of our family doctors are reaching retirement age with nobody to replace them,” said Forsey.

“Physician retirement is an issue that has been on the horizon for years now, and this Liberal government chose to ignore it.”

This closure is among the list of the continued erosion of healthcare services in the district of Exploits. Forsey has been vocal for years on restoring the 24-hour Emergency Room service at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre in Botwood.

“In two consecutive elections, the Liberals promised to return the 24-hour Emergency Room service to the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre, and they haven’t followed through. Residents are getting sick and tired of seeing promises broken by this Liberal government,” said Forsey.

“The road of broken promises under this Liberal government is a long one – but for the sake of people's health, we need action, and we need it now.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca