Some obstetrics services will begin transferring to James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander starting on Monday.

NL Health Services issued an update yesterday on ongoing efforts to return obstetrical services to Gander.

The health authority says it is still working towards a date on which labour and delivery services will resume.

People in Gander and surrounding area reacted with alarm to a recommendation made in the Health Accord that obstetrical services be centralized in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Health Minister Tom Osborne came out a short time later and announced that obstetrics will stay in the airport town.

NL Health Services says staff and physicians have been working diligently over the last year to return obstetric services to James Paton. That includes the renovations required, with three of four obstetricians, registered nurses and midwives in place and an orientation process in place for a newly hired obstetrician.