The MHA for Bonavista says it was fortunate that a dire medical emergency a few days ago ended on a positive note despite the doors to the emergency room being locked with no service available.

Two men, one of whom was badly injured after cutting his hand with a power saw, tried to get in the ER to get medical attention, only to find the doors locked. They ended up being seen by medical personnel after going around to the outpatient entrance. It wasn’t the emergency room, but the injured man got to Clarenville – about 90 minutes away – by ambulance and had surgery.

MHA Craig Pardy says 2023 was a bad year for ER diversions; things improved significantly last year but this year is beginning to resemble 2023.

“We’re pleased it worked out for that gentleman but it may not have had he not had access to those medical professionals. You’re not going to do surgery in Bonavista but at least you could triage the patient and prepare them for a safe journey up the peninsula,” says Pardy.