Perth-Andover Mayor Terry Ritchie says the provincial government is using the damaged inflicted by the massive flood in March as an excuse to reduce health services in his northwestern village.

Health Minister Ted Flemming hinted on Wednesday the provincial government may relocate the Perth-Andover hospital out of the flood zone.

While no final decisions have been made, the village’s mayor said he does not want to see any reduction in health services in his municipality if the facility is moved.

“You can lift it out of the flood zone and you can build a full-service hospital. We need a full-service hospital,” Ritchie said.

Perth-Andover Mayor Terry Ritchie said he's concerned about the future of health services in his village. (CBC)

Many homes and businesses were damaged in March when water spilled over the banks of the St. John River. The flood level was roughly 1.5 metres higher than the last major flood in 1987.

The village declared a state of emergency during the flood and about one-third of Perth-Andover’s 1,770 residents had to flee from the rising flood waters.

Village residents have spent the last several months rebuilding homes and businesses after the flood.

The provincial government recently announced it would spend $8 million to relocate or flood-proof homes in low-lying areas in the community.

The Hotel Dieu of Saint Joseph Hospital was among the buildings damaged in the flood.

The Department of Health announced earlier in November that it would no longer pay for any additional repairs or renovations. As well, the provincial government indicated labour and delivery services will not be returned to the Perth-Andover hospital.

The province’s health minister said any decisions on the future of the hospital will be outlined in the upcoming capital budget. But Flemming said the village’s residents can be assured they will have “top-notch primary health care.”

Those assurances, however, are not sitting well with Perth-Andover’s mayor.

"In a year and a half, we're not going to have a real hospital here. He calls it primary care, we call it a first aid station,” he said.

“We don't have obstetrics now and we won't have a surgeon. We won't have surgery here at all."

Ritchie has been very critical of the Progressive Conservative government's handling of the flood response in his village.

In September, Ritchie admitted that he was considering resigning as the village's mayor because he felt the provincial government hadn't done enough to help his community.

Hospital location

When speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Flemming said it doesn't make sense for a hospital to remain in an area that could be flooded again in the future.

Health Minister Ted Flemming said citizens are concerned about access to quality services even if they have drive longer distances. (CBC)

Flemming also hinted the new facility may be attached to a planned nursing home, which is located above the village's flood plain.

“The mighty St. John [River] is going to flood again and we can continue to throw money under the water or we can give the good people of Perth top-notch primary healthcare,” he said.

The health minister said there are advantages to realigning services in western New Brunswick.

The Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville is roughly 60 kilometres away from Perth-Andover.

Flemming said having a critical mass of surgeons in one location allows them to do more procedures and stay at the top of their game.

The health minister said proximity to a hospital is not the most important factor when people are sick.

“They say, `I want the best [care]. I'm sick, this is my health, this is my life, this is my children's health, this is my wellness,” he said.

“They don't say, `Where's the closest port in the storm?' They say `What's the best we can give?'"