The province is tightening up on expenses because of a massive dip in oil revenues forcing politicians to look for ways to trim expenses.
That might lead some to wonder if there will be any impact on the timeline for the new regional hospital planned for Corner Brook.
The hospital is still in the planning stages but is still targeted to open in 2018.
Aside from some site work and highway improvements, the really expensive part of the project is yet to come.
The hospital will replace Western Memorial Regional Hospital that has reached the end of is usefulness.
The newest part of that facility dates back to the 1970s and the older section — the former sanatorium — reaches back into the 1950s when the scourge of TB gripped this province and its people.
But in reality, short-term budget problems should have no impact on the multimillion-dollar replacement hospital.
Money for these massive capital projects are considered different from the year-to-year budget items.
Money for hospitals or other public buildings are completed with long-term borrowing that will be paid off over decades.
Besides, what is the option for government?
This region needs a modern facility to provide proper care for patients and offer modern facilities for health professionals in which to do their good work.
This region has enough problems attracting and keeping physicians without expecting them to work in a second-rate hospital.
If this area is going to maintain an acceptable level of health care a new regional hospital is mandatory.
Money may be in short supply at the present moment and government may be facing a deficit this year but the regional hospital is too vital to be impacted.
