The town of Gander is pleased with the provincial government’s commitment to reinstate obstetric services at James Paton Memorial Hospital.

Mayor Percy Farwell was very vocal when it was learned that one of the recommendations of the Health Accord was for obstetrics to be provided through the hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor.

The two hospitals serve two entirely different and huge geographic regions, and residents in and around Gander and Bonavista North were very concerned about the implications for expectant mothers in the area.

Mayor Farwell is offering his thanks to the people and communities who advocated loudly for obstetric services in Gander, and he’s also thanking Health Minister Tom Osborne for “recognizing the geographical and demographic realities” of the region.

Farewell warns however, that each day that passes before reinstatement of service, represents another day of unacceptable risk, and the town is urging Central Health to give immediate priority to developing and implementing an interim and long-term plan to ensure the service is up and running in both locations as soon as possible.