Dramatic changes in the delivery of health care in the St. John's area are in the wings, as officials ponder how best to provide care to an expanding city with aging infrastructure.

No details on a plan have been revealed, but officials are considering closing one of the three hospitals in the city while opening a series of walk-in clinics that are currently housed in institutions.

Health Minister Ross Wiseman says officials are now studying whether two hospitals could do the work of three.
(CBC)

Health Minister Ross Wiseman confirmed the Newfoundland and Labrador government is reviewing whether the current system — based around the Health Sciences Centre, St. Clare's and the Waterford hospitals — needs change.

"What we need to do is to assess those physical buildings, to determine their appropriateness for the programs that we provide in them and how we deliver those services, and if there's a need to look at a different configuration," Wiseman told CBC News.

Wiseman said officials are considering whether "what we do in three spaces we [could] do in two spaces."

Also under consideration are clinics that would cover a wide range of services, including dermatology, blood collection, diabetes education, eating disorders, genetics and fertility clinics.

Turnkey operation sought for new clinics

Eastern Health, which operates hospitals, clinics and other services in the eastern half of Newfoundland, would like to lease a turnkey operation for at least 15 years, at a cost of more than $20 million.

Eastern Health says it expects to award the tender for the 10 health-care clinics in the next several weeks. 

Premier Danny Williams said Tuesday that health spending will play a significant part in the province's spring budget.

"We also have significant capital outlay for the next five to 10 years, whether it's for capital equipment, whether it's for advanced information technology — which is [a] significant expense — and also in facilities and renovation to the facilities," Williams said.

The hospital system has already undergone major changes over the last decade. The Grace General Hospital was closed and then razed, with services transferred to the Health Sciences Centre.

As well, the Janeway Child Health Centre closed its doors in Pleasantville, and the hospital was relocated in a wing of the HSC.