People who live in Labrador say the latest hospital diversionary plan amounts to health care crisis on top of health care crisis.

Since December 16, all obstetrical services have been diverted from the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador West Health Centre in Labrador City. Labrador-Grenfell Health expects the diversion to last until January 13,

That means expectant mothers in the Lake Melville area or on the north coast who go into labour will have to find their way to Labrador West—500 km away. The health authority provided little notice to the catchment area of the hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The health authority is struggling with personnel challenges, especially as it relates to registered nurses.

Mayor George Andrews wonders if better planning might have led to a less troubling alternative. says he has never seen a situation such as this.

Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown also wonders about planning. He says most of the hotels in the town close over the holidays for maintenance.