Alternate Health and Community Services Minister announced

Premier Danny Williams today announced that Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, will assume responsibilities on an interim basis for the Department of Health and Community Services, as an alternate minister. Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer is currently on medical leave.

"On behalf of the Cabinet and the government, I wish Minister Ottenheimer a speedy and complete recovery," said Premier Williams. "Minister Ottenheimer is a dedicated and hard working minister, and our thoughts and prayers are with him during his recuperation."

All general inquiries for the Minister of Health and Community Services should continue to go to that department, and all media inquiries should continue to be directed to Carolyn Chaplin, Director of Communications, Health and Community Services.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Carolyn Chaplin, Health and Community Services (709) 729-1377, 682-5093

2005 03 30                             2:20 p.m.