Rural medical services continue to be eroded by
Williams’ Government
Government’s announcement that laboratory and x-ray
services will no longer be offered in Lewisporte and Flower’s Cove is
another example of how health care delivery in rural areas of our province
continues to be downgraded, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.
Both Lewisporte and Flower’s Cove have new health
care facilities, yet government has made a decision to centralize services
in larger towns. This will create more hardship for patients who will now
be forced to bypass their local facility and travel longer distances to
access basic health care services.
“Both Lewisporte and Flower’s Cove serve dozens
of nearby communities at their facilities,” said Ms. Jones. “Removing
laboratory and x-ray services will impact thousands of people living in
these regions. It is unfortunate that this government continues to
centralize services to the detriment of rural communities without
considering the consequences on the people who live in these areas of our
province.”
Jones says most people have accepted that some health
care services can only be accessed in major tertiary areas like St.
John’s. However, they expect basic services such laboratory and x-ray
services to be readily available and easily accessible.
“It appears government is moving away from the model
that provided basic front-line services to residents in an attempt to
avoid unnecessary financial hardship and travel challenges. Our province
has an aging population and these people should not be forced to travel
hundreds of kilometers to receive basic health care services. It is very
disappointing that this government continues to ignore the needs of rural
Newfoundland and Labrador instead of making small investments that will
help these communities survive for the long-term. If the decision to strip
Lewisporte and Flower’s Cove of these services is allowed to stand, I
fear which other communities will lose their services during
government’s ongoing review.”
