The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined today by Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale; Karen McGrath, CEO of Central Health; and, Harvey Tizzard, Mayor of Springdale, to announce $510,000 in funding for two healthcare facilities in Springdale.

"The Green Bay Health Centre and the Valley Vista Senior Citizens Home form the foundation of the health infrastructure in this region," said Minister Kennedy. "This government will continue to invest in primary healthcare facilities to strengthen our medical and long-term care needs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Enhancing and upgrading our infrastructure will ensure our system will continue to meet the needs of all healthcare users and providers for many years to come."

The Valley Vista Senior Citizens Home in Springdale will receive a total of $439,000 in funding for repairs, renovations and equipment. This includes funding of $275,000 for roof repairs and $80,000 for the replacement of flooring. Resident beds and over-bed tables will be replaced at a cost of $20,000, and drug carts will be replaced at a cost of $35,000. New propane ovens, a cooler and an ice machine will be purchased for the kitchen totaling $29,000. The Valley Vista Senior Citizens Home is a long-term care facility with 79 beds providing residential accommodations for elderly persons with high care needs.

The Green Bay Health Centre in Springdale will receive approximately $71,000 for capital equipment including $53,000 for the replacement of analyzers for the laboratory, $11,000 to replace acute care beds at the facility and $7,000 to purchase new blood pressure monitors and diagnostic equipment. The Green Bay Health Centre is a community health centre with six acute care, and two holding/observation beds that provide primary acute inpatient, emergency and outpatient services, basic laboratory, x-ray services and ultrasound.

"These two facilities are essential to the residents of Springdale and the region," said Mr. Pollard. "The long-term care home ensures that people can continue to live close to home and their families, and in times when people need other medical services, there will be a well maintained healthcare centre always available. I am very pleased with today's announcement and our government's vision to strengthen healthcare."

"The capital investments for the replacement of laboratory equipment monitors and analyzers announced today will go a long way in helping us provide quality health care," said Karen McGrath, CEO, Central Health. "This investment by government will help us to operationalize recommendations from the Cameron report and ultimately improve service to the region."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provided an investment of $208.9 million for healthcare infrastructure throughout the province, including investments in new construction; redevelopment of existing facilities; purchase of new medical equipment; and, repairs and maintenance. Funding of $10,000 was recently announced for the Town of Springdale under the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants program to help fund work to develop programs and activities designed to engage seniors in the community.

In Budget 2009, approximately $288,000 was provided to the Green Bay Health Centre for capital equipment; repairs and renovations, including a new ambulance; bed replacements; and, laboratory equipment. The Valley Vista Senior Citizens Home was allocated $195,000 for capital equipment, renovations, roof repairs and door closures.

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