Province paying for empty space
A former health clinic in Murray River that costs the province about $20,000 a year has an Opposition MLA wondering why the government isn’t using what is now an empty space. Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton said residents in the area want a health clinic in the building.
“If we’re going to be fiscally responsible we should be utilizing the space,” she said. A statement from the province said the government spends about $15,000-$20,000 to lease space in the Murray River building plus $5,000 for heat and lights.
That statement also said the clinics that used to be offered in Murray River were nursing-led chronic disease clinics, such as diabetes education.
The space has also housed other government services occasionally over the years, including public heath flu clinics. The government signed a 15year lease in 2011. Responding to Compton’s questions in the legislature last week, Health Minister Robert Mitchell said not a lot of people used the clinic when it was open.
“It wasn’t as it was expected and apparently a lot of the residents preferred to travel to Montague for their health needs,” he said.
Mitchell said if there is a need for a clinic in the area it’s something the government would consider.
“If residents in the area would like to revisit the possibility of a clinic being put back in that area certainly that’s something that we would be happy to speak with them about and look if that’s an opportunity,” he said.