15 more long term care beds but still no radiation oncologist in Corner Brook

Tara Freake is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President Health Services NL Western Zone. She says they are actively recruiting for a radiation oncologist and have hire a recruitment firm to help but these people are in high demand and many organizations are struggling with recruitment 

On Friday, government announced 15 beds would be added to the Long Term Care Centre in Corner Brook by doubling up on room occupancy. The plan is to also issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an interim Alternate Level of Care Centre in the Western Zone, which will lead to more beds. Health Minister John Hogan says the new Corner Brook Western Memorial Hospital is the right size for acute care in the region with 164 acute care beds. He says the need is for an alternative level of care for people taking up acute care beds.  Hogan says they’re also working on a  pilot project using software that allows professionals to complete analysis for a quicker discharge. 

Meanwhile, the new hospital opened 4 months ago with a brand new radiology unit, but no one to work there. Tara Freake is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President Health Services NL Western Zone. She says they are actively recruiting for a radiation oncologist and have hire a recruitment firm to help but these people are in high demand and many organizations are struggling with recruitment  Sometimes patients in the emergency department end up waiting on beds in the hallway, but Freake says this is part of  the “transformational piece” of moving to the new hospital that requires a multitude of solutions.