The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador (RNU) is sounding the alarm on the government’s decision to relocate gynecology services to the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre. While the announcement appears progressive on the surface, RNU warns that the public is not being told the full story—and the consequences for women’s health could be devastating.

“What government has presented may seem like a positive move,” said Yvette Coffey, President of the Registered Nurses’ Union. “But what they are not saying is that this decision, coupled with their unannounced plan to move critical care services from the Health Sciences Centre to the new hospital site on Kenmount Road, is a recipe for disaster.”

The critical care relocation means that any woman experiencing an emergency related to a gynecological or obstetrical procedure—such as severe hemorrhaging or life-threatening complications—would need to be transported over eight kilometres to the new critical care facility. Even in ideal traffic conditions, this could take 15 minutes or more.

“When minutes matter, this is a lifetime,” Coffey emphasized. “This delay in care could lead to tragic outcomes for women and babies. It’s not just dangerous—it’s unconscionable.”

While the plan to move gynecology has been made public, the corresponding decision to relocate critical care has not. However, RNU has confirmed through multiple credible sources, including frontline staff and healthcare managers, that this is indeed the intended path forward.

“This is yet another example of how women’s health continues to be deprioritized in our healthcare system,” said Coffey. “The lack of transparency, the disregard for clinical realities, and the systemic inequities in how we approach women’s care are unacceptable. This cannot continue.”

RNU is calling on government to immediately reconsider this dangerous plan and commit to ensuring that gynecology and obstetrics services are fully supported by on-site critical care. Anything less puts lives at risk.

“We urge government to pause, consult with those who work in these environments every day, and commit to a decision-making process that puts women’s health and safety first,”

Coffey added. “We cannot accept a system that continues to fail the people it is supposed to protect.”

-30-

About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) represents over 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners working in acute care, long-term care, community, education, and research. The Union advocates for its members and the public healthcare system to improve access, quality, and sustainability of care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information, please contact:

Jonathan Hamel

Director of Communications

Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador

Phone: (709) 691-6890

Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca