The NLMA is calling it a crisis, but the provincial government says plans are in place to help address health care shortages in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Medical Association is calling on the province to “stop the bleeding” and met with the Premier and other government officials last week to highlight their concerns.
NLMA President Dr. Susan MacDonald says the last remaining physicians working in health centres in Burgeo, Flowers Cove and Forteau are leaving, while the last doctor in Roddickton has already left.
The last physician has left the health centre in St. Alban’s, while Harbour Breton, Buchans, Baie Verte and Fogo will have no physicians by the end of June. Another physician is leaving the health centre in Whitbourne at the end of May leaving two physicians at that facility.
That’s in addition to health centres in St. Lawrence, and New Wes Valley which will be down to a single physician this summer.
She says the association impressed on government the need for immediate action.
She says government, who called the meeting, were interested and attentive to what the NLMA had to say.
Plan in Place to Address Challenges in Central
Health Minister John Haggie says Central Health has a plan in place to address the health care challenges currently being experienced in the region.
Some are calling the situation in Central Health a “crisis” with physicians leaving the area and long waiting times in local emergency rooms.
Haggie says more information is expected in the near future.
He says the CEO of Central Health has put a stabilization plan in place, and they’ll be in the position to make what he calls positive announcements in the near future.
The provincial government is set to announce health care initiatives outlined in the recent budget today at 11 a.m. at the James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander.
Western Health in Discussion With New Physician for Burgeo Region
The NLMA is providing clarification on information it shared earlier this week regarding communities that are losing family physicians.
The Medical Association previously indicated that Burgeo is losing its last doctor. One physician has resigned leaving one physician in the community who is also planning to leave, however, no timeframe has been defined.
Western Health tells the NLMA that it is in discussion with a new physician and they are optimistic that the doctor can be recruited to the community.
