Government of Newfoundland & Labrador Media Releases

Creative Solutions Continue to Promote Access to Health Care in Newfoundland and Labrador

Reposted from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/health/0131n02/ 

January 31, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: As the Provincial Government continues its efforts to find creative solutions to improve access to health care in Newfoundland and Labrador, a recently implemented pilot project is making a difference for cardiac patients.

The innovative approach allows patients from other regions of the province, who are in need of cardiac catheterization procedures only offered in the St. John’s region, to access them via a same-day fly-in/fly-out service. Spearheaded by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, patients are assessed based on clinical acuity, and those determined suitable for travel are flown into St. John’s for the procedure and returned to a health care facility in their region the same day. LEARN MORE “Creative Solutions Continue to Promote Access to Health Care in Newfoundland and Labrador”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre

January 30, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre on Bell Island will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place on:

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 for transportation to a city hospital. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to an Emergency Department in St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

January 30, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department at Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

January 27, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, February 6, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

January 27, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, February 13, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand.

Patients requiring emergency services during the closures should call 911 or proceed to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre or the Dr. S. Beckley Clinic in Grand Bank if they feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

January 26, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of a temporary change in emergency services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre effective:

Thursday, January 26 at 8:00 a.m. to Friday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m. 

Monday, January 30 at 8:00 a.m. to Tuesday, January 31 at 8:00 a.m.

During these times, the emergency department will be staffed by a nurse practitioner, supported by a physician who will be available virtually. Patients are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Government of Newfoundland & Labrador Media Releases

First Surgeries Performed in St. Anthony Under Travelling Orthopaedic Program

Reposted from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/health/0125n01/

January 25, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: The travelling orthopaedic team from Eastern Health has completed its first joint replacement surgery at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony. Announced last fall as a measure to address wait times for hip and knee joint replacement surgeries in Newfoundland and Labrador, the initiative has the potential to accommodate approximately 140 surgeries at this site annually.

LEARN MORE “First Surgeries Performed in St. Anthony Under Travelling Orthopaedic Program”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre

January 21, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre on Bell Island will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closures will take place on:

Sunday, January 22, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 23, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, January 27, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 30, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 for transportation to a city hospital. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to an Emergency Department in St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Eastern Health Services Impacted Due to Adverse Weather

January 21, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of the following service changes for today, Saturday, January 21, 2023, due to adverse weather this weekend:

• The community walk-in clinic, located at 50 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John’s, will be closed.

• The collaborative team clinic centre, located at 7 Pippy Place, St. John’s, will be closed.

• The COVID-19 vaccination clinic for children aged six months to 11 years old at Mount Pearl Square will be closed. Clients will be contacted to reschedule their appointments. In addition, clients may rebook online at www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/gettheshot/.

• In addition, the planned closure of both the external and internal entrances to the emergency department at the Health Sciences Centre on Sunday, January 22, 2023 has been postponed. This closure will now be in effect as of Sunday, January 28, 2023. LEARN MORE “Eastern Health Services Impacted Due to Adverse Weather”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

January 20, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand.

Patients requiring emergency services during the closures should call 911 or proceed to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre or the Dr. S. Beckley Clinic in Grand Bank if they feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

January 20, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Eastern Health Enacts Plan During Paramedic Job Action

January 20, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health is advising the public that it has enacted plans to ensure continued emergency ambulance services to residents across the region during job action with a private operator.

Eastern Health reminds the public in the case of an emergency to call 911 as opposed to local ambulance operator numbers. NL 911 is ready to redirect calls to the next closest available ambulance provider. LEARN MORE “Eastern Health Enacts Plan During Paramedic Job Action”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

January 13, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

January 13, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand.

Patients requiring emergency services during the closures should call 911 or proceed to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre or the Dr. S. Beckley Clinic in Grand Bank if they feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Entrances at Health Sciences Centre Emergency Department

January 13, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of upcoming temporary changes to external and internal entrances at the emergency department of the Health Sciences Centre. These measures are necessary to facilitate construction work for the recently announced emergency department expansion project. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Entrances at Health Sciences Centre Emergency Department”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

January 12, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of temporary changes to emergency services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre due to current human resource challenges. The temporary changes are as follows:

Date Service Availability/Hours
Friday, January 13 ER CLOSED starting at 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 14 ER CLOSED
Sunday, January 15 ER OPEN starting at 8:00 a.m.
Monday, January 16 NP/Virtual ER starting at 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 17 ER OPEN starting at 8:00 a.m.

During Temporary Closures:

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department at Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville.

During Virtual Emergency Rooms (ERs staffed by a nurse practitioner):

The emergency department will be staffed by a nurse practitioner and supported by a physician who will be available virtually. Patients are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Eastern Health Services During Adverse Weather

January 10, 2023– St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of the following service changes due to adverse weather today (January 10, 2023):

  • Breastfeeding support groups are cancelled for today at the following locations:
    • Placentia Public Library (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
    • CBS Arena (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.)
    • Thomas Line Community Centre (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
      These groups will resume as scheduled next week. Please reach out to your Public Health nurse directly, if needed.
  • Mass vaccination clinic at Mount Pearl Square will close at 12:00 p.m.
    Extra appointments have been made available online over the coming days to accommodate those whose appointments are impacted today. Clients may rebook online at:

  • Doorways (St. John’s) Counseling Services will be offered by phone or video only today. Please call 709-752-4903 to arrange your phone or video session. Appointments are available between 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • The community walk-in clinic, located at 50 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John’s, is closed today.

LEARN MORE “Eastern Health Services During Adverse Weather”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

January 6, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand.

Patients requiring emergency services during the closures should call 911 or proceed to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre or the Dr. S. Beckley Clinic in Grand Bank if they feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

January 6, 2023 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, January 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Interruption to Obstetrical Services and Urgent Surgical Services at Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre

January 6, 2023 – St. John’s, NL:  Eastern Health advises the public that obstetrical and urgent surgical services at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre will be limited from Friday, January 6, at 4:00 p.m. to Monday, January 9, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., due to the temporary unavailability of anesthesiology services.

Patients in the area who require obstetrical or urgent surgical services during this time period are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary. LEARN MORE “Temporary Interruption to Obstetrical Services and Urgent Surgical Services at Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre

January 2, 2023– St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre on Bell Island will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closures will take place on:

Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 for transportation to a city hospital. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to an Emergency Department in St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre”