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.