NLIS 38
March 27, 2003
(Health and Community Services)
 

Government remains committed to capital projects

Health and Community Services Minister Gerald Smith today announced that government will invest $16.4 million for continued work on health capital projects.

"The people of Newfoundland and Labrador need up-to-date health infrastructure, and government continues to make investments to ensure that our health facilities meet the needs of patients and health professionals," said Minister Smith.

The funding in Budget 2003 will be allocated as follows:

• $5 million for the new Grand Bank Health Facility: This facility will be an emergency and outpatient clinic along with 60 long-term care beds. Funding this year will allow for foundation work to begin this spring and the main building renovations to begin in the fall. The project is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2005. The total project cost is $17.5 million.
• $7.5 million for the Fogo Health Centre: This facility will be an emergency and outpatient clinic. To date, the site work and foundations are complete, and construction of the new building is scheduled to begin in the spring. The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2004 with the facility operational by July. The total project cost is $11.5 million.
• $3.5 million for the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville: Construction is anticipated to be finished by June, with the new facility operational by September 2003. The total project cost is $34.5 million.
• $400,000 to complete the new wing at the James Paton Hospital in Gander.

Minister Smith explained that while the new wing of the James Paton Hospital Redevelopment project will be completed this year, renovations to the existing hospital will not begin until a further review of the project is completed. To date, government has spent $54 million on this project.

Government is also allocating $3 million for renovations and repair work at health facilities. "Government understands that existing health facilities need to be maintained, and that our health boards need new money to do this work. For the last five years, we have invested $33 million in our facilities for repair and renovation needs," said Minister Smith.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2003 03 27                                       4:20 p.m.