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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says she obtained information from the Hay
Report that recommends cost-saving measures for the Grenfell Health Board
and she fears the repercussions should government accept the
recommendations. "The Hay Report for the Grenfell Health Board is
recommending cost-saving measures of $3.669 million," said Ms. Jones. "These
cutbacks will affect everything from service delivery, privatization of
services, clinic closures and physician cuts. This is not acceptable in one
of the most rural areas of our province."
The Hay Report outlines savings in several areas including:
Privatizing food and laundry services in St. Anthony
Increasing Air Ambulance fees
Eliminating family practice positions in Flower’s Cove, Roddickton
and two in Forteau
Eliminating two obstetrics and gynecology positions, two pediatrician
positions, two psychiatrist positions, the orthopedic surgeon position
and the radiology and optimology positions from the St. Anthony Hospital
Eliminating three of four clinics in southern Labrador
Reducing the average stay of patients in the hospital
Using the hospital in Blanc Sablon, Quebec as the regional centre in
Labrador for health emergencies
"I have continuously stated that this government is forcing the people of
rural Newfoundland and Labrador to go to the services of government instead
of the services going to them. By eliminating clinics and medical positions
in these areas of our province, the consequences will be devastating for
people who require immediate medical attention.
"These cuts will certainly place the lives of people living in rural
communities at a much higher risk than those living in urban and centralized
areas. It is ludicrous to expect people living on the coast of Labrador to
board a plane and fly to another community to see a doctor. How will this
provide equal access to health services in all regions of the province?
"For government to even consider the recommendations of this report would
be a disaster. The Northern Peninsula and South Coast of Labrador need to
attract medical professionals, not have positions eliminated. I will fight
vehemently to ensure that this government does not follow the
recommendations of this report. It is time that the lives of the people of
this province were put ahead of a cost-saving agenda. The health of our
people should be of paramount importance. The recommendations of this report
will only serve to scare more people away from rural parts of our province."
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