Health and Community Services
June 10, 2011
Eye Care Centre Opens in Corner Brook
Residents of Corner Brook and the surrounding area will benefit from a Provincial Government investment of approximately $1.2 million to establish, operate and help purchase equipment for a new eye care centre that consolidates services to one location, includes a variety of new equipment and provides additional professional resources. The Western Health Eye Care Centre, which began operating earlier this year, was officially opened today by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Premier Dunderdale was joined for today’s opening by the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East; Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West; and, Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO of Western Health.
“The opening of the Western Health Eye Care Centre is another example of our government’s continued commitment to enhancing health care in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Premier Dunderdale. “The Provincial Government is making unprecedented investments in health care and this centre illustrates how these investments translate into enhanced health care services for the people of the province. The centre will bring together the health care professionals and the equipment required to treat a variety of eye problems.”
Over the last three years, the Provincial Government has provided $965,000 to establish and operate the facility.
“Our government recognizes the province’s health care needs and is taking action accordingly,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “There have been a growing number of patients in the Corner Brook area requiring eye care procedures and we anticipate that as the population ages, more people will be requiring the services offered at the centre. Our investment today in this state-of-the-art facility will benefit residents in the region for years to come.”
“The new eye care centre, equipped with up-to-date equipment and additional professional resources will provide enhanced services to the residents of the Corner Brook area and Western Newfoundland,” said Minister Marshall. “The centre is a result of the partnership between the Provincial Government and Western Memorial Regional Hospital Foundation, supported by the generosity of the people of Western Newfoundland and will provide lasting benefits to all residents of the region. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Joe Wijayanayagam who was a major advocate for this new centre and whose efforts will ensure that patients are looked after well into the future.”
The Provincial Government has provided $250,000 to supplement funds raised by the Western Memorial Hospital Foundation. In addition to the Provincial Government’s contribution, the foundation raised approximately $420,000 for the purchase of specialized and technical equipment that is now located at the centre.
“I am delighted with this new centre, as it adds to the myriad of health care services available in the region,” said Humber West MHA Vaughn Granter. “This modern, well-equipped facility will provide convenient and accessible eye care treatment for residents, and respond to the growing need in Corner Brook and the surrounding area.”
The centre currently staffed by two ophthalmologists with a third
specialist anticipated to begin practicing next month. It is equipped to
treat patients with problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, ocular
complications from diabetes and glaucoma, among other things.
“The Western Health Eye Care Centre is a wonderful example of how
volunteers, communities and government can partner together to meet the
needs of the people of the Western region,” said Dr. Gillam. “We are
thankful that this partnership has strengthened eye care services offered by
Western Health.”
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For
Newfoundland and Labrador continues the Provincial Government’s commitment
to health care with a record $2.9 billion investment. This funding includes
$200.6 million for new construction of health care facilities and
redevelopment projects, $50 million for new equipment and $21.6 million for
repairs and renovations.
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Media contacts:
| Glenda Power Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 glendapower@gov.nl.ca |
Milly Brown Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 631-8477 millybrown@gov.nl.ca |
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Lary Wells Executive Assistant to Honourable Tom Marshall MHA for Humber East 709-637-2575 larrywells@gov.nl.ca |
| Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Heidi Staeben-Simmons Director of Communications Western Health 709-637-5252 heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca |
2011 06 10
11:20 p.m.