Health and Community Services
August 19, 2011
Premier Welcomes the Installation of New CT Scanner in Labrador West
The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, viewed the new computed tomography (CT) scanner located at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City today. This piece of essential medical imaging equipment and the structure housing the scanner was funded through a partnership between the Provincial Government and the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC).
Premier Dunderdale was joined by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services; Heather Bruce-Veitch, Director, External Relations, Iron Ore Company of Canada; Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West; and, Eric Power, Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Services, Labrador-Grenfell Health.
“Our government’s responsibility is to ensure that every resident of our province has access to critical and essential health care services and we are making significant investments to further that commitment,” said Premier Dunderdale. “This CT scanner will enhance medical services for this region and significantly reduce the travel required for residents to receive this diagnostic test. We recognize and appreciate IOC’s contribution towards this initiative. This is an investment in the health of this region, its people and our province.”
This past year, the Provincial Government invested approximately $1 million to purchase a new 64-slice CT scanner for the hospital. As part of this initiative, the Iron Ore Company of Canada invested $600,000 to build a temporary structure next to the hospital to house the CT scanner.
“IOC’s partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the CT scanner project has provided an invaluable health care resource for Labrador West,” said Ms. Bruce-Veitch. “Health and safety of our employees remains a key priority for IOC and we are extremely pleased that employees, and all residents of the area, can now access modern health equipment close to home. This is our way of giving back to the communities in which we operate.”
This scanner, which has a lifespan of approximately 10 years, will move into the new hospital currently under construction in Labrador City. The hospital is expected to be completed in 2014.
“Providing equipment like CT scanners, dialysis units and enhanced health services is our duty to the people of the province,” said Minister Kennedy. “We are committed to the people of Labrador, and we will continue to invest in new equipment, infrastructure and areas that reduce wait times for all residents.”
The CT scanner became operational on June 8, 2011 and has provided over 170 scans to date. The availability of the diagnostic service in the region has reduced or eliminated the need for residents to travel to Happy Valley-Goose Bay or to the island portion of the province for the service.
“It is important that people have the necessary equipment in order to receive the best in health care,” said MHA Baker. “Investments in CT scanners improve the lives of many and show this government’s commitment to people in the area.”
“Prior to the recent installation of the CT scanner at Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital, residents of Labrador West had little choice but travel out of the area for CT services,” said Mr. Power. “Today, thanks to the partnership that was forged by the Provincial Government and the Iron Ore Company of Canada, that is no longer always the case. We are extremely pleased to have been involved in such a significant enhancement of services for the people of this area.”
Over the past several years, the Provincial Government has made significant investments in diagnostic equipment and services throughout the province providing new CT scanners in St. Anthony, Burin, Carbonear and the Janeway Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John’s bringing the total number of CT scanners throughout the province to 14. Recently, a new MRI machine was installed in the James Paton Memorial Health Centre in Gander and funding for another MRI has been allocated for St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. This will bring the complement of MRI machines in the province to five.
In addition, in Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government committed a further $17.8 million over the life of the plan to expand the PET/CT cyclotron project. This funding will see the consolidation of nuclear medicine services at one site and infrastructure for future expansion of the cancer care program, which will increase the total project cost to approximately $29.8 million.
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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 |
| Heather Bruce-Veitch Director, External Relations Iron Ore Company of Canada 709-722-4200 heather.bruce-veitch@ironore.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
| Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Alison Dower Regional Director of Communications Labrador-Grenfell Health 709-454-0128, 454-1205 alison.dower@lghealth.ca |
2011 08 19 2:50 p.m.