Executive Council
Health and Community Services
September 10, 2010
New CT Scanner
Announced for Labrador West
The Provincial Government continues to
make significant healthcare investments in Labrador and today announced
the purchase of a new computed tomography (CT) scanner that will serve
residents of Labrador City and Wabush. The Honourable Danny Williams,
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by the Honourable
Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services; Zoë Yujnovich,
President and CEO, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC); Jim Baker, MHA for
Labrador West; and, Boyd Rowe, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health, for the
announcement.
"A new CT scanner in Labrador West will
result in a significant improvement to healthcare services to this
region," said Premier Williams. "Each year hundreds of people have to
travel out of the area for a CT scan. The placement of a new
state-of-the-art CT scanner will allow people to stay near their homes
while receiving this diagnostic test, and will help alleviate the stress
of travelling. We are particularly pleased to have IOC as a corporate
partner in this investment and I thank them for their outstanding
commitment to this community."
The Provincial Government will invest
approximately $1 million to purchase a new 64-slice CT scanner which
will be housed in a temporary location adjacent to the hospital. IOC
will invest $600,000 to build the temporary structure to house the CT
scanner. Given that the lifespan of a CT scanner is approximately 10
years, the CT scanner will be moved to its permanent location at the new
Labrador West healthcare facility upon opening.
"The Iron Ore Company of Canada is
pleased to be working in partnership with the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador on this significant healthcare investment for the people of
Labrador City and Wabush," said Ms. Yujnovich. "IOC values the health
and safety of our employees and we are committed to giving back to the
communities in which we operate. We are honoured to be a part of this
valuable investment."
Recruitment for staff to operate the CT
scanner will begin immediately. The new CT scanner is expected to be
operational in March of 2011.
"Placing a CT scanner in Labrador City
will help further meet the needs of the people of this region," said
Minister Kennedy. "We understand that this CT scanner is needed now and
could not wait for the completion of the new health centre. This is a
further example of how this government is working throughout the
province to meet the healthcare needs of all people in Newfoundland and
Labrador."
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments —
For Our Children and Our Future
included $9 million for the
continued construction of the new regional hospital in Labrador West,
with the overall investment for this new facility totaling approximately
$90 million. Site preparation and the extension of municipal services
for this facility are now complete. Foundations and structural steel are
slated for completion in October 2010 with the water tank and associated
work to be completed during the 2010 and 2011 construction seasons. The
main building construction package is expected to be tendered this fall,
with construction to begin in June 2011. The new facility will have 14
acute and 14 long-term care beds.
"I am very pleased to see that a new CT
scanner will be placed in Labrador City in the near future to serve all
residents of this area," said Mr. Baker. "I know this matter has been
raised by the people in this region. It is great to see the Provincial
Government continue to make key investments that will have immediate and
long-term impacts on the people of Labrador West."
"The introduction of CT services in
Labrador West supports Labrador-Grenfell Health's mission of enhanced
access to priority services," said Mr. Rowe. "On behalf of the Board of
Directors and our health authority, I thank both the Provincial
Government and IOC for this investment in diagnostic services in our
region."
Since 2003-04, the Williams Government
has invested approximately $8.3 million in the Captain William Jackman
Health Centre for capital equipment, repairs and renovations.
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2010 09 10
11:50 a.m.
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