NL Health Services is expanding long-term care options in a remote area of the south coast.

Yesterday, Premier John Hogan announced plans to expand the health centre in Harbour Breton by 10 long-term care beds.

Bob Allen, the site lead for the area, says they’ve had a drop in available space since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving residents to make costly trips to Grand Falls-Windsor.

“We don’t have any room for acute care patients. We know when people come up, they’re usually going to be sent to Grand Falls-Windsor or sometimes Gander,” he says.

“The announcement today of 10 extra long-term care beds should go a long way towards us getting back some acute care services in town. And I know that means a lot to a lot of people because when you do leave Harbour Breton and go to Grand Falls-Windsor, if it’s any more than a day, it becomes very expensive.”