The provincial government is highlighting some of its health care initiatives that are underway in central Newfoundland from the 2022 budget.

During an event in Gander yesterday, Premier Andrew Furey spoke about some of the key allocations for the region.

They include $3-million for the continuation of two virtual ER services, $1.8-million for health hubs, a new collaborative team clinic, and a second paramedicine team that will operate seven days a week.

Premier Andrew Furey says great progress is being made, but there’s still lots of work to do.

He says the healthcare system can’t continue working the way it is. He likens it to Einstein’s definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

According to Health Minister John Haggie, the new collaborative care clinic is nearly ready to be set up.

He says Central Health is doing consultations with community groups as part of their “stabilization plan” for the summer. Once those are done, he says they will be in a position to begin hiring and getting the clinics up and running.