The provincial government is delaying its decision to consolidate dialysis services so it can have more discussions with people in the affected communities.

On Tuesday, Premier Robert Ghiz said the government hadn't planned to make the change for at least six months but will wait another six months to a year.

"But again it's about dialog," he said.

Last month, Health Minister Doug Currie announced the province planned to move dialysis services out of Alberton and Souris.

The plan was to reduce the number of sites from four to two and consolidate the service in Charlottetown and Summerside, but after meeting with Alberton residents Monday the government decided to delay that move.

Even with the delay, Ghiz said Health Minister Doug Currie got the decision right when it came to moving the dialysis service.

"It's important to have dialogue on certain issues where there's an opportunity to do that and that's exactly what we're going to do," he said.

When asked if there is a possibility the government could reverse its decision to move the dialysis service out of Alberton and Souris, Ghiz said he thinks there are always going to be changes in health care.

The delay will give the government time to make sure its resources in the best way possible while taking everyone's concerns into consideration, he said.

"That's really what we're trying to do."

Alberton-Roseville MLA Pat Murphy said he was happy with the decision to delay the move.

"It will give us a chance to have a good second look at it," he said.

Murphy said in the recent meeting with government the residents made some good points and Ghiz listened to their concerns.

"I'm pleased that he decided to take the time to have a second, closer look at the whole decision," he said.

For Souris-Elmira MLA Colin LaVie, he said the decision to delay the change is just prolonging the agony for people in his riding, which isn't what they want.

"We want their dialysis," he said.

LaVie said there wasn't a dialogue between the government and residents before the decision was made.

"Why don't they go to the people and then their decisions will be a lot easier," he said.

He called it a flip-flop on the issue and said the decision to delay the consolidation was the opposite of what people who need the service wanted.

"It's more of a flop than a flip."

Currie said the delay doesn't change increasing demand for dialysis treatment or the complexities of the patients who need the service.

"Obviously the communities spoke and as a minister that was important to me and we have to pay attention to those concerns," he said.

The decision is delayed, but that won't slow down the growth in demand for dialysis service, he said.

"We have some issues when it comes to chronic disease and as a result of chronic disease we have issues facing the ability to provide quality dialysis services."

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