The Town of Gander is urging Central Health to begin taking measures to reinstate obstetrical services at James Paton Memorial Hospital.

Percy Farwell says Central Health’s steering committee—formed to decide the location of obstetrical services in the central region—has been dissolved, leading to concerns that the final decision will be put on the back burner until the Provincial Health Authority is established in the spring.

The region has seen the diversion of obstetrical services flip between Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander for years, and Central Health recently announced that the diversion to Grand Falls-Windsor will remain in place for the time being.

That’s a problem not only for Gander, says Farwell, which is growing in population, but to the entire region, with expectant mothers from as far away as Wesleyville, Glovertown and Musgrave Harbour having to travel hours over the road for services.

Farwell is fearful the fate of obstetrical services in the region has been pre-ordained.

He says they had five midwives in the region, which is now down to two and it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if they choose to move on. “Fix your HR problems,” Farwell urges the health authority, “don’t concede to them.”