As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future, the Williams Government will invest $7.9 million to continue the redevelopment of the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor. A total of $30 million will be invested over a period of four years, including $6.1 million which has already been allocated for planning and design work and completion of phase one of the redevelopment, which includes upgrades to the pharmacy department.

"This government is continually making strategic investments in health care programs and services throughout the province, and has made significant investments in central Newfoundland," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "In fact last year alone, we invested $9.6 million in capital works projects and equipment, repairs and renovations in the Grand Falls-Windsor region. This is part of an ongoing process to ensure the province continues to provide quality services to residents."

Minister Kennedy, along with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans; Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits; and Karen McGrath, CEO of Central Health, viewed the redevelopment progress at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre today.

In 2008, the Department of Health and Community Services, in conjunction with Central Health, conducted a space programming and master planning exercise to identify the existing spaces and the projected spatial needs of the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre for the next 10-15 years.

"I am extremely pleased with the announcement of this funding," said Minister Sullivan. "The hospital has always been an integral part of our community.　 This funding will allow for further improvements to the quality health services provided by the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre."

The expansion and redevelopment will take place in three phases:

"This is welcomed news for central Newfoundland, especially for the Exploits Valley," said Mr. Forsey.　 "This facility is important to all residents of the region, and the redevelopment of the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre will ensure continued services for the area for years to come."

"This investment in health infrastructure is very important for the region and will be well received by the residents of the area," said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Green Bay South. "Improving health services continues this government's commitment of delivering quality health care and improving the quality of life for people in central Newfoundland."

"We are confident our ongoing partnership with the Department of Health and Community Services will continue to provide an array of quality programs to assist us in meeting our long term goal of creating healthy people in healthy communities," said Ms. McGrath. "Making sure we have the proper infrastructure is a major step in providing our clients with quality health care."

"The last major redevelopment at the hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor was over 15 years ago, and since then new programs have been introduced and patient volumes have grown," said Minister Kennedy. "This government is committed to maintaining and bolstering health care services throughout the province, especially in rural areas."

The Williams Government continues to make strategic investments in health care infrastructure throughout the province. Budget 2010 provides a total of $208.9 million for health care infrastructure, which includes investments in new construction, redevelopment of existing facilities, purchase of new medical equipment and repairs and maintenance.

- 30 -