Health and Community Services
August 20, 2010
Major Funding Announced to Enhance Health Care
Services in Carbonear
Health care services in Carbonear and surrounding areas will be
enhanced with approximately $3.8 million in Provincial Government
funding for the purchase of capital equipment, repairs and renovations
for Carbonear General Hospital, Carbonear Interfaith and Harbour Lodge.
The Williams Government has invested a total of approximately $11.3
million in health care equipment and infrastructure repairs and
renovations in the Carbonear area in the last three years.
The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community
Services and MHA for Carbonear-Harbour Grace, was joined for the
announcement today by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, MHA for
Trinity-Bay de Verde; Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO, Eastern
Health; and, Sam Slade, Mayor of Carbonear.
"Our government is committed to investing in the modernization and
maintenance of the province's health care infrastructure so that
residents have access to quality health care programs now and well into
the future," said Minister Kennedy. "The funding announced today will
not only provide enhanced health care services, but will ensure
residents in Carbonear and surrounding areas have access to these
services in their own community."
Today's announcement includes $1.44 million for Carbonear General
Hospital for a new CT scanner, which was installed earlier this month;
$799,000 for facility upgrades including, roof repairs, a review of the
electrical distribution system, medical gas piping, and fire and life
safety equipment; $575,000 for the replacement of cardiac equipment
including defibrillators and monitoring systems, and the replacement of
20 beds at the facility; $561,000 for diagnostic imaging, laboratory,
laparoscopy, ophthalmology, bronchoscope and endoscope equipment;
$174,000 for a sterilizer; and, $19,000 for an infant warmer. Carbonear
Interfaith will receive $169,000 in funding for a new bathing system and
exterior brickwork renovations, while Harbour Lodge will receive $29,000
for a new dishwasher and safety switches.
The Provincial Government also recognizes the importance of
continuing to invest in long-term care services in Carbonear and
surrounding areas while the construction begins on a new 250-bed
long-term care facility in that area through a $4 million investment in
Budget 2010: The Right Investments - For Our Children and Our Future.
This also includes the redevelopment of ambulatory care for Carbonear
General Hospital. The tender for preliminary site work for parking
relocation closed last month, and a tender for $1.2 million for parking
and sanitary sewer extension is expected to be issued later this month.
The main building construction is anticipated to be tendered in spring
2011 with expected occupancy in late fall 2014.
I am pleased with
the significant health care investments our government continues to make
that help to improve people's lives in this region," said Minister
Johnson, MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde. "Investments in the Carbonear
Hospital complement the hospital in Old Perlican and medical clinics in
the area and ensure that individuals are able to avail of necessary
health care services when and where they need them."
In the last three years, the Williams Government has invested
approximately $11.3 million in Carbonear General Hospital, Harbour Lodge
and Carbonear Interfaith. This includes approximately $7 million in
medical equipment such as digital radiography, mammography, cardiology
and laboratory equipment, and nearly $4.3 million for infrastructure
repairs and renovations, including upgrades to electrical and
ventilation systems, fire and life safety equipment and exterior
renovations.
"This significant health care investment is great news for residents
of Carbonear and surrounding areas," said Vickie Kaminski, President and
CEO of Eastern Health. "I commend government for its commitment to
improving health care services in the region. The installation of new
equipment and improvements to infrastructure will enhance the quality of
health care for patients at Carbonear General Hospital and our long-term
care residents."
Other recent investments for the Carbonear area include approximately
$1.2 million for a new transition house in Carbonear to be operated by
the Iris Kirby Board of Directors. This includes $411,000 for one-time
repairs and renovations and approximately $816,000 for staffing,
household and operating costs. It is anticipated that the project will
be completed this year, and $2 million for the planning and development
of an adult residential addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace.
This facility will provide services to individuals requiring long-term
residential treatment for complex addictions-related issues.
-30-
Media contacts:
