While government stalls on the announcement of the location for a new MRI machine for central Newfoundland, patients continue to be added to waitlists and forced to travel hundreds of kilometers for the service, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones. Jones raised the issue earlier today in the House of Assembly.

Central Newfoundland has been waiting for the services of an MRI machine for years. Funding has been approved, but government has been stalling on announcing whether the machine will be located in Gander or Grand Falls-Windsor for political reasons.

“Government has received a study of where the machine should be located and the minister has stated that he has reviewed the recommendations,” said Ms. Jones. “There is no reason to stall any longer; the people of central Newfoundland deserve to know where the machine will be located and when it will be operational. Delaying this decision is simply political and doing a disservice to the people requiring the services of this MRI machine.

“The Minister of Health stated weeks ago in the House of Assembly that the announcement would be made within days. Whether government decides to place it in Gander or Grand Falls-Windsor, I would encourage the minister to stop hiding their intentions and announce this decision to the public as soon as possible.”