A steady succession of emergency room closures throughout the province has forced patients to travel many miles to reach get care.

In Bonavista and New Wes Valley residents have been protesting against the frequent closure of emergency services and in Clarenville, the hospital is without pediatric and obstetrical services. Many other health care facilities are experiencing similar reductions in service on a short-term basis.

Minister of Health Tom Osborne says they are working on addressing these closures caused by a lack of staff, but understands that words are cold comfort right now. He says they’re working on recruitment, with a potential physician lined up for Bonavista.

He says they believe they have someone recruited on a permanent basis. He also says they’ve been looking into investing in air transportation so areas can still be covered when hospitals are put on diversion.