(August 3, 2023, St. John’s) – Pleaman Forsey, MHA for Exploits, says emergency room closures remain the norm in Central Newfoundland and he wants action to keep them open.

“Just this week, we saw closures at the Lewisporte Health Centre and the Green Bay Health Centre in Springdale. That means sending patients further to receive care and increasing the workload in other health centres, like the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre,” said Forsey.

“All the while, the Dr. Hugh Twomey Healthcare centre remains without 24-hour emergency services. I’m worried the Liberal Government has forgotten the Central Newfoundland region and has not put enough emphasis on ensuring healthcare is accessible to the residents in the region.”

Forsey says Central Newfoundland needs to be a focus for government, as long distances between healthcare centres causes concern for residents.

“Mobile health units are one solution brought forward, but how can they be staffed when emergency room staffing remains such an issue? Efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals need an extra focus on Central Newfoundland. We have a population spread out over a large area and when an emergency strikes, we know how important even one minute can be to respond,” said Forsey.

“I’m calling on the Liberal Government to lay out their plan to keep these emergency rooms open without interruption. People in the District of Exploits and throughout Central Newfoundland shouldn’t have to guess whether their emergency room is open in their moment of need.”

-30-

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca