Residents of Gander and surrounding areas will receive enhanced health care services with approximately $3.7 million in Provincial Government funding for the purchase of new medical equipment and repairs and renovations to the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre and Lakeside Homes. The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was in Gander today and was joined by the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, MHA for Gander; Karen McGrath, CEO, Central Health; and, Claude Elliott, Mayor of Gander.

"The James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre and Lakeside Homes play a pivotal role in meeting the health and long-term care needs of the residents living in this region," said Minister Kennedy. "Our government is committed to investing in health care infrastructure in this area so that residents of Gander and surrounding communities have access to quality health care services when and where needed."

This Provincial Government investment for the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre includes $375,000 for a regional transcription system; $300,000 for the purchase of two new ambulances; $250,000 for two new chemistry analyzers; $250,000 for an automatic medicine dispensing system; $225,000 for the replacement of nine dialysis machines; $225,000 for a new cardiology management system; $150,000 for drug storage units; $110,000 for multi-plate computed radiography readers; $108,000 for a meal delivery system; $100,000 for an operating room management system; $83,700 for laboratory equipment; $83,000 for endoscopy equipment; $80,000 for mammography biopsy upgrade equipment; and, $57,000 for other patient care and support equipment. Repairs and renovations to the facility include $275,000 for elevator upgrades; $275,000 for pharmacy upgrades for chemotherapy; and, $140,000 for the replacement of windows and fuel tanks.

"This is certainly fantastic news today for the residents of Gander and surrounding areas," said the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, MHA for Gander. "With new medical equipment, repairs and renovations being done at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre and Lakeside Homes this will only mean improved health care for the individuals in our community. The Provincial Government is committed to providing the best health care system they can for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Lakeside Homes, a long-term care facility which provides residential accommodations for seniors with high-care needs and includes a protective care unit for residents suffering from dementia, will also receive approximately $574,000. This includes $450,000 for kitchen upgrades; approximately $88,500 for new dietary and laundry equipment; and, $35,400 for the purchase of five drug carts.

"The significant investments by government into secondary health care facilities will dramatically assist Central Health fulfill its mandate of healthy people in healthy communities," said Karen McGrath, CEO of Central Health. "The purchase of new patient care and support equipment in our James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre will allow us to provide the necessary back-up to our more rural sites."

Since 2003, the Williams Government has invested approximately $16.8 million in capital equipment, repairs and renovations at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre and Lakeside Homes. This includes almost $13.5 million for medical equipment such as a new MRI machine, digital x-ray and mammography units, dialysis machines, cardiac stress test equipment and three new ambulances. Approximately $3.3 million was invested for repairs and upgrades, including renovations to the cancer clinic and protective care unit, and upgrades to fire alarm and kitchen equipment.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future includes $208.9 million for health care infrastructure throughout the province. This includes $177.3 million for new facilities and equipment and $31.6 million for repairs and renovations.

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