Minister officially opens new cancer centre in Gander

Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne today officially opened the new cancer centre in Gander. Minister Osborne was joined by Minister Kevin O�Brien, MHA for the Gander District; Dave Diamond, chief executive officer, Central Health; Pat Pilgrim, chief operating officer of Cancer Care, Eastern Health; and Eric Jerrett, chair, Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Foundation.

"Our government is committed to investing in the prevention and treatment of cancer and we are working in cooperation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, the regional health authorities and other community agencies on the development of a new Provincial Cancer Control Strategy," said Minister Osborne. "Our government continues to make significant investments to improve the lives of those living with cancer. The new cancer centre will increase capacity for cancer services for residents in the central region and will provide enhanced services for those requiring treatment."

The new cancer centre, located in the James Paton Memorial Hospital, will accommodate seven patients at one time, versus four patients prior to the renovations and will provide a more aesthetically-pleasing environment for cancer patients. Enhancements to the centre include privacy curtains for treatment areas; handicap accessible washrooms; an expanded treatment space with a waiting area and family room; and, additional office space for oncologists. Services provided at the centre include specialty clinics by visiting medical and radiation oncologists from the Dr. H Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre as well as chemotherapy services and supportive nursing care. In addition to this new facility, capacity for cancer services in central region will also increase in Grand Falls-Windsor when a new cancer centre is completed later this year.

"As a client-focused organization, we understand how physical surroundings can lift patients� spirits during the course of treatment," said David Diamond, CEO, Central Health. "We are pleased to join with our partners to redevelop the Gander Cancer Centre and ultimately, to improve the quality of life for cancer patients in this region."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provided $350,000 to renovate a new cancer centre in Gander. The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation raised more than $60,000 from community and corporate donors to purchase treatment equipment and furnishings for the new space. The cancer centre is operated by Eastern Health, as part of the provincial cancer care program, in partnership with Central Health.

"Eastern Health is committed to providing the people of this province with quality cancer care and medical treatment as close to home as possible," said Pat Pilgrim, COO, Cancer Care, Eastern Health. "This new modern facility will enhance privacy for our patients and their families and provide a warm and friendly environment that is familiar and comfortable for them."

"Eric Jerrett, chair, Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation thanked everyone who generously contributed to this project. "The outpouring of support from this community over the past six months has resulted in over $60,000 being donated for the purchase of medical equipment and furnishings for the Cancer Centre Gander. The philanthropic spirit in this community was surpassed only by the motivation and determination to have a new cancer centre."

"I personally am proud of the commitment of this government in investing in the lives of the individuals and families who are impacted by cancer," said Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Business and MHA for Gander. "The Gander Cancer Centre, with these new enhancements, will now serve as a resource that will positively impact this region and its residents in a big way."

Government invested $15.6 million in Budget 2006 to prevent and treat cancer including $3.3 million to construct two new bunkers to house radiation equipment at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre in St. John�s; $1.5 million to expand the Cervical Screening Program into the Eastern and Labrador-Grenfell regions; and, $750,000 for a new breast screening centre in Grand Falls-Windsor and an expanded breast screening centre in St. John�s, as well as program enhancements for breast and other cancers. Government also invested an additional $1.2 million to construct a new cancer centre in Grand Falls-Windsor, which is scheduled to open in September of this year.

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca
Stephanie Power, Central Health, (709) 292-2629
Leona Barrington, Eastern Health, (709) 777-1339, 728-7935 leona.barrington@easternhealth.ca
Brenda Lockyer, Executive Director, Cancer Care Foundation (709) 687-8622

2006 07 07                                                         10:35 a.m.