The minister of health is not about to change course regarding the reopening of medical services, but doctors openly disagree with his approach and call the situation critical.

Doctors told a news conference yesterday that people who are priority three are not even being looked at right now.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association paints a picture which shows the system operating at about 40-50 per cent capacity.

Until recently, physicians were being told by a panel of non-surgeons which patients get in for surgery.

St. John’s Gastro-enterologist Dr. Jerry McGrath says even if the system goes to 75 or 85 per cent capacity next week, the wait list for his field would continue to grow.

Urologist/oncologist Dr. Paul Johnston of St. John’s says we should not be saving our bullets while we wait for a second wave of COVID-19. He feels the urgent need is now.

He says you’re going to see people potentially lose several years of life, perhaps five years or so down the road. As a cancer surgeon, he says it’s not an easy story to write, and that he is worried.