Western Health says it continues to recruit to fill vacant positions at the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville.

The health authority was responding to continued rumours suggesting that the hospital is slated for closure or a reduction in services.

Laura Aylward, who is with the West Coast Healthcare Alliance and is chair of the local hospital foundation, says “there is no way” the hospital will close.

She outlined the variety of equipment that is coming to the hospital thanks to the Foundation’s efforts.

Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital currently provides emergency, in-patient, and critical care, in addition to chemotherapy, medical imaging, dialysis, blood collection and surgical services.

Western Health says there are a number of vacancies throughout the region including the Stephenville and Bay St. George area, which can affect access to services.

The health authority is asking patients who are having trouble accessing care to contact client relations, while those who do not have a family doctor is asked to add their name to the waitlist.

Client Relations: 1-833-784-6802 clientrelations@westernhealth.nl.ca

Waitlist for physician or nurse practitioner: findaprovider@westernhealth.nl.ca