The MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands is applauding the opening of the new hospital in Corner Brook, but is expressing concern about long-term care patients who will be left in limbo, far from home until a bed becomes available.

Eddie Joyce says patient transfers to the new hospital are happening this weekend, and while he’s pleased the long-awaited facility is finally opening, a “very dark cloud is looming.”

Joyce has written the Premier about patients at the current hospital who are awaiting long-term care beds, and who are now being forced to move outside the region.

He says the waitlist for 6-8 months for a long-term care bed is too long for patients who are now cut off from family and friends.

Joyce says the practice of moving long-term patients to an outside region was halted five years ago, but he was surprised to learn that it was only paused and not eliminated.

He says some families are being told that if they don’t want their loved one transferred, they’ll have to take them home.

Joyce is being told that the old hospital is being closed, and won’t be able to keep permanent patients until a bed is available.