"I wrote the Minister last fall and she has reassured me that the new kidney program is on schedule and the Conception Bay North unit will be operational by this summer," said Butler.

"Last week there were some confusing messages being sent throughout the region about the status of this service that was announced by the Liberal government last summer. I would like to set the record straight by confirming that the unit will open this summer.

"I sat at the table with area MHAs to announce the results of the Provincial Renal Advisory Committee Report which recommended that a dialysis site be established in Carbonear. When the health and well-being of people are concerned, politics should have no impact on the decision-making process.

"I am unsure of the purpose of a meeting scheduled between the group and the Minister this week and why area Liberal MHAs have not be invited to attend. The Minister has already confirmed that the financial review of the province’s finances will not affect this project."

Dialysis patients from the CBN region currently commute to St. John’s several times a week to receive kidney treatments. These treatments are essential, take several hours and patients are often forced to travel in poor weather conditions.