The Minister of Health says the transition to one provincial health authority is going relatively smoothly.

All four regional health authorities officially merged into one over the weekend. Tom Osborne says there have been no issues as the process of transferring all records continues.

All health records will enter a new health information system that will allow them to be accessed by any medical professional in the province.

Osborne says with the current system, it’s impossible for professionals to access records of patients outside their district. That makes it difficult for many patients outside of Eastern Health who have to travel to St. John’s to receive specific services.

With just one regional health authority, they will not need as many office-based staff, but Osborne says no-one will be left without a job.

He says there is a demand for people working a number of similar jobs with government and anyone who is being cut from their current position will be offered another job comparable to their last position.