The Provincial Government is investing almost $500,000 to expand the hours of operation for the satellite dialysis unit in Clarenville. Effective March 31, 2010, dialysis services will be offered an additional three days per week, effectively doubling the availability of services at that location.

"Providing timely, accessible dialysis services for residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is a priority for our government," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "The expanded hours of operation will ensure residents in the Clarenville area who qualify medically to receive dialysis services at a satellite unit can have improved access close to home."

Dialysis services in Clarenville were previously available 12 hours per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. Once the expanded hours are implemented, the service will be open from Monday to Saturday and will increase capacity of the unit to 28 patients, up from 14.

"We are very pleased to offer improved access to dialysis services within Eastern Health," said Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO of Eastern Health. "The extended hours will enable us to provide more accessible dialysis treatment for our patients in the Clarenville and Bonavista areas who have had to travel elsewhere for treatment."

Since June 2009, a wait list of nine residents requiring dialysis services has developed in the area. The Provincial Government will invest $490,000 to provide for the expanded services, which includes additional human resources and supplies.

"I'm very pleased our government is responding to the increased demand for dialysis services in our region," said Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North. "Through this investment, patients have the benefit of receiving dialysis closer to their homes and families."

"Our government has made significant investments to provide accessible, high-quality health care programs and services to the residents of rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Kennedy. "Our significant investment in new dialysis sites throughout the province demonstrates our commitment to providing quality health care services."

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has established new dialysis sites in Burin, Carbonear, Gander, St. Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The annual cost in 2008-09 to operate all of the dialysis units throughout the province was approximately $20,197,224, up nine per cent from 2007-08.

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