Questions were raised in the House of Assembly surrounding today’s surprise announcement regarding the replacement of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.

Opposition House Leader Barry Petten questioned Premier Andrew Furey in the Legislature.

“Bricks and mortar are not causing (the) health care crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador” says Petten, “the failure to recruit and retain health care professionals by the Liberal government is the cause.” He asked why the announcement was made when the province is struggling to keep existing emergency rooms open due to a lack of staff. Premier Andrew Furey says the health care system requires investment in infrastructure and human resources, “they can’t be done in tandem, they have to be done in parallel” he told the Legislature.