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Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, says the
recommendations contained in the Hay Report are not realistic and are
unacceptable for the thousands of residents who live in the Port aux Basques
region. The Best Practices Review for the Western Health Care Corporation
was released yesterday. The report, a 334 page document completed by the Hay
Group, has recommended several service reductions in southwestern
Newfoundland. Two of the recommendations would see the transfer of
obstetrics and surgical services from the Dr. Charles L. Legrow Health
Centre in Port aux Basques to Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner
Brook, a health facility 250 kilometres away.
"If accepted, the Hay Report recommendations would be devastating to our
region of the province," said Mr. Parsons. "Should government move forward
with this simplistic solution without considering the ramifications on the
people in rural areas of our province, I fear more people will leave our
communities to avail of necessary government services in urban areas. This
would be nothing more than forced resettlement.
"It is unrealistic to expect pregnant mothers to drive three hours to
deliver their baby. What happens in emergency cases? What happens in winter
months when a snowstorm is battering the wreckhouse area for days? It is
hard to believe that government would tell expecting mothers that they can
no longer give birth to their child in rural areas of the province.
"It is also very disturbing to think of the impact that these
recommendations would have on attracting young health professionals back to
rural communities. In Port aux Basques, a young doctor has moved home to
practice. What message would this send to a young doctor who wants to work
in their hometown? Simply unacceptable!
"Centralization will not help deliver services to the people of rural
Newfoundland and Labrador. If these important health services are removed
from southwestern Newfoundland, I fear the consequences for people who
require immediate access to medical attention. The health of our people
should be of paramount importance."
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