Editorials -
Health and Community Services Minister Paul Oram has been at the forefront of the criticism over a decision last month to discontinue lab and x-ray services at the Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre in Flowers Cove. Area residents, community leaders, physicians and community groups have been angry and frustrated and they've expressed the view that the cuts to service will be detrimental and made without consultation.
The minister took a step towards listening to the outrage last week when he met with community leaders last week in Anchor Point. While it can be argued that Mr. Oram should have visited the Straits area in August rather than October, he delivered an announcement that demonstrates he and his government have been listening. The result is that the health centre - which was slated to be reduced to a half-time service - will continue to provide 24-hour care. In addition, the holding bed capacity has been restored and proposed changes to ambulance services are no longer being considered.
Call it a victory for people who weren't prepared to accept such a drastic reduction in service. Is that the end of this stand-off? Not likely, given the statements from community leaders following Mr. Oram's announcement. They say they intend to continue to impress upon government the need for lab and x-ray services.
No one in the Department of Health should get the idea that they've dampened a hotspot with Friday's announcement. In fact, there's every reason to believe that government's reluctant admission that it used poor judgment is just the ammunition the Straits area needs to continue pressing for the reinstatement of lab and x-ray services.
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