Progress is being made toward the construction of a new primary health care centre and renovations to the Blue Crest Nursing Home in Grand Bank with the awarding of contracts to Marco Services Ltd. of St. John�s. The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works, and the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, along with Joan Dawe, Chair, Eastern Health Board of Trustees, today provided details of the investments during a news conference at the Blue Crest Nursing Home in Grand Bank.

The value of both contracts is approximately $8.6 million. The contract for the primary health care centre is valued at $5.9 million, while the contract for renovations to the 60-bed, long-term care home is valued at $2.719 million.

Minister Hickey said today�s announcement is yet another example of the Provincial Government�s commitment to health care and the latest in a multitude of investments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. "People in the Grand Bank area deserve these much-needed facilities and I�m proud to say this government is delivering," said Minister Hickey.

The new primary health care centre, which is expected to be operational in early summer 2008, will provide clinic and office space for up to five physicians, 24-hour emergency, out-patient clinics, laboratory and x-ray services. The community services component will provide clinic and office accommodations for community health providers.

Redevelopment of the Blue Crest Nursing Home will include both exterior and interior upgrades. Modifications will be made to resident washrooms and a new sprinkler system will be installed. In addition, enhancements and upgrades will be made to the electrical, mechanical, ventilation and emergency power systems. Renovations are slated to begin within a month and to be complete by next summer.

"We are very pleased with the announcement made by government today which will allow us to continue to provide quality service to the people of Grand Bank," said Joan Dawe. "The renovations will help improve services for the residents and clients of Blue Crest Nursing Home and the new primary health care centre will move us in the direction of integrating health services in the community."

The entire project cost for both the new primary health care centre and redevelopment of the Blue Crest Nursing Home is $11.5 million, which includes both design and site work already completed.

In addition to these two projects, the Provincial Government has made other significant health care investments in the Burin Peninsula region, including a new CT Scanner for the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre and a new satellite dialysis unit which is scheduled to be operational by Fall 2007.

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2007 07 24                                                            1:30 p.m.