Health Minister Paul Oram in the N.L. legislature on Tuesday. (CBC)

Minister of Health Paul Oram won't back down from his decision to move laboratory and X-ray services out of the central Newfoundland community of Lewisporte, even if it means some doctors will leave the community.

Dr. Brenda Penney said last week that moving the services from Lewisporte to Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander, about 50 kilometres away, would degrade care to patients in her area. She is considering leaving Lewisporte because she's uncertain she can continue to give her patients proper service.

Should Penney or any other doctors leave the area, Oram told reporters outside the legislature on Tuesday, he's confident the local health authority would find replacements.

"Government and our health authorities have a plan in place to deal with health care in this province," he said. "And, you know, the fact again is that we can't be dictated to by any particular sector in Newfoundland and Labrador to tell us how we should do that."

Oram has been under growing pressure since his department announced the plan, which the province expects will save $400,000.

The government is also making a similar move on the Northern Peninsula, where the services are being moved from Flower's Cove to St. Anthony, 100 kilometres away.

In the legislature Tuesday, Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones attacked the decision.

"Why is government attacking basic frontline medical services in these rural communities?" she said.

Oram said the relocation of services from Lewisporte to hospitals in Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander would save money and improve services.

"We have people going to Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, where you have more equipment, you have more people on call, you have more people on staff, so therefore it is an enhanced service to the people," he said.