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Health and Community Services
June 1, 2009

New MRI Announced for Central Newfoundland

The province�s newest Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit will be housed at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander. The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services made the announcement today. Consultants were engaged to research and make a recommendation for the appropriate location of the MRI unit. The Provincial Government has accepted that recommendation.

"We are pleased to be moving forward with this investment in health care for those living in Central Newfoundland," said Minister Wiseman. "The addition of the MRI in Gander will result in further improved health care services in this region. This new unit will increase the number of examinations performed in the province."

The new $3 million MRI unit is the fourth for the province. It will be used for both the adult and pediatric patient population. It will be accessed primarily by patients in the Central Region. The Provincial Government engaged a group of three independent consultants from outside the province, one of whom is a radiologist with experience in MRI technology. The group assessed a number of factors including access and demand in determining Gander as the appropriate location of the MRI unit.

We are very pleased with this announcement by government," said Karen McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, Central Regional Health Authority. "Our efforts will now turn to acquiring and installing the new unit in a timely manner."

The MRI unit in Central Newfoundland emphasizes the continued commitment by the Provincial Government to invest in health care facilities and services in the region. In the past three years, significant investments have included:

  • $13.2 million in specialized medical, laboratory and patient support equipment for Central Newfoundland;
  • $10.5 million for continued redevelopment of the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander which includes tenders for upgrades to the patient rooms in the old wing  and day surgery suite to be called in August;
  • $5.5 million for design and to start the redevelopment at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor, including a tender for pharmacy renovations to be called in June;
  • $1 million to replace a CT Scanner in Grand Falls-Windsor;
  • $1 million for a CT Scanner in Gander;
  • $500,000 for the planning of a residential treatment centre for youth with addictions in Grand Falls-Windsor;
  • $400,000 in funding for a cardiac invasive monitoring system in Grand Falls-Windsor.
  • "Ensuring the residents of this province have access to quality and timely care is a key priority for our government," said Minister Wiseman. "As we look to the future, we will continue to make strategic investments across the province that build upon the strong foundation we have put in place to further enhance the health and prosperity of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

    There are currently three other MRI units in the province and these are located in St. John�s and Corner Brook.

    To view the report in its entirety, visit Review of MRI Siting Options For The Central Region of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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    Media contacts:

    Ronalda Walsh
    Director of Communications
    Department of Health and Community Services
    709-729-1377, 685-1741
    ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
    Stephanie Power
    Director of Communications
    Central Health
    709-486-0515
    stephanie.power@centralhealth.nl.ca

    2009 06 01                                                    3:30 p.m.


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