The Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. Photo by File photo /THE TELEGRAMArticle contentI recently read Janet Templeton’s letter and I fully agree with her that the province should have a registry of the locations of heart defibrillators.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt’s a straightforward and important issue, but one that seems to have fallen between the cracks.Article contentArticle contentIs it because: 1. The government isn’t listening?Article content2. The government has put the matter on the back burner because it’s a low priority for them?Article contentArticle contentIf the answers are “yes” to those questions, then this is the time to make the issue public. Political candidates are going everywhere in the province dredging up votes for the election on Oct. 14, 2025. They’re promising things that they might never be able to deliver, if elected. But it helps a lot to be loud in public about this vital need.Article contentThe specter of heart disease in this province is called the “Newfoundland of Curse.” In times past a family could lose a father in his 60’s and a son in his 20’s in the same month.Article contentMedical and scientific research and advances today help many people survive with implants and medications. For that, many families are grateful.Article contentBLOOD TESTS SHUT DOWN?Article contentBut what happens if one of those patients needs a blood test when blood collection services are shut down for an entire day in the major hospital in the province?Article contentArticle contentYes, the hospital finds a way to address urgent cases but the mere fact that this life-dependent procedure is suspended in a hospital is great cause for concern.Article contentThis event was reported by the Canadian Press on Sept. 18, 2025. Health authorities stated that the reason was staff shortages.Article contentWe can deal with shortages in some sectors, but we can’t mess around with our health care. There should be a robust inventory of trained blood collection assistants to do the job. In addition to increasing the regular workforce, there should be more part-time and standby assistants.Article contentMost of us have experienced the packed waiting rooms and hours-long waiting times. That doesn’t need to happen. Unfortunately, to correct this problem, this means increased health spending by the government. Right now they’re dealing with the highest debt in the country.
LETTER: From this election we need a superhero to fix the NL health-care system
