Health and Community Services
October 25, 2010Health Care
Funding Announced for Facilities in the Coast of Bays
Residents living in the Coast of Bays will benefit
from approximately $678,000 in Provincial Government funding for the
purchase of capital equipment, repairs and renovations to health care
facilities in Harbour Breton, St. Alban's, Hermitage and Mose Ambrose.
The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community
Services, was joined for the announcements today by Karen McGrath, CEO,
Central Health; and, Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune.
"The Williams Government is committed to maintaining
and upgrading our health care facilities throughout the province," said
Minister Kennedy. "In areas like the Coast of Bays, where communities
are located close together, but distant from major health care
centres, it is crucial to have modern medical
equipment and facilities to provide primary health care services to the
residents in these towns."
The Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre in Harbour
Breton will receive $260,000 for roof repairs and $86,200 to purchase
laboratory analyzers, a fetal monitor, drug carts and computed
radiography cassettes. The Bay d'Espoir Medical Clinic in St. Alban's
will receive $200,000 for expansion and upgrades to the emergency area
and $37,000 for a new laboratory analyzer. The clinics in Hermitage and
Mose Ambrose will receive a combined $95,000. This funding will allow
for the replacement of windows, flooring and washroom upgrades at the
Hermitage clinic, and the replacement of flooring, parking upgrades and
work station renovations at the Mose Ambrose clinic. A further $95,000
will be invested in the medical clinic in Gaultois to address wheelchair
accessibility issues and to renovate the interior and exterior of the
building.
"This funding for improved infrastructure and for the
purchase of new capital equipment will enhance Central Health's ability
to provide quality health care for the entire Coast of Bays," said Karen
McGrath, CEO, Central Health. "Upgrades to our clinics and health centre
will go a long way in helping Central Health fulfill its mandate of
healthy people in healthy communities."
Since 2003, the Provincial Government has invested
approximately $2.1 million for the purchase of medical equipment,
repairs and renovations to health care facilities in the Coast of Bays.
This includes approximately $744,000 for new capital equipment such as
laboratory analyzers, x-ray units, defibrillators and other patient care
equipment; and, almost $1.4 million for repairs and renovations such as
roofing and exhaust repairs, replacement of siding and windows, and
boiler and air quality upgrades.
"I am delighted with the investments made by the
Provincial Government to strengthen health care services in rural
areas," said Ms. Perry. "Today's announcements for the Coast of Bays,
demonstrates the Provincial Government's recognition of, and support
for, rural remote health care. Through partnerships of government, staff
and community volunteers, our health care services are continually
improving."
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For Our
Children and Our Future
provided an investment of $208.9 million for
health care infrastructure throughout the province, including
investments in new construction, redevelopment of existing facilities,
purchase of new medical equipment and repairs and maintenance.
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