New Dialysis Site Officially Opened at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital

Increased dialysis services continue to be implemented throughout the province with the official opening of the new satellite dialysis site in Labrador City. The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services; Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West; and, Eric Power, Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Services, Labrador-Grenfell Health for the opening.

“The Provincial Government has taken great strides to build and increase access to vital dialysis services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Premier Dunderdale. “This new dialysis site will help provide a better quality of life for those in Labrador West who require these services by allowing them to live in their community while receiving treatment. Our government’s continued significant investments illustrate our commitment to providing these services and further enhancing our dialysis services in all regions.”

In Budget 2010, the Provincial Government provided $672,800 to establish a new satellite service in Labrador West, and further enhanced these services with an additional $91,800 in Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador. The Labrador West dialysis site became operational in March 2011.

“Through our government’s strategic and region focused health care investments we are placing core pieces of infrastructure and equipment throughout the province,” said Minister Kennedy. “In order to match the growth of Labrador West we are ensuring that the services people need are in place, and that we are continuing to meet the needs and demands of each region of the province.”

Budget 2011 further enhanced dialysis services throughout the province with an investment of approximately $3 million to establish a satellite dialysis service at the Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre in Harbour Breton; expand the Home Hemodialysis Program in St. John’s; increase access to dialysis services in the Burin region; expand operating hours at the dialysis unit at Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony; and, expand dialysis services at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville.

“This is wonderful for the people of the area who need dialysis services,” said MHA Baker. “Improvements in health care can make a big difference for families who need these services.”

“Labrador-Grenfell Health is extremely pleased to see the long-awaited operation of a satellite dialysis unit here at the hospital,” said Mr. Power. ”We have heard the wishes of residents of Labrador West and together with an important investment from the Provincial Government, a service that was once available elsewhere is now entrenched and part of the medical services we provide in this busy and prosperous area.”

Over the last eight years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $151.1 million for the provision of dialysis services in the province. Since 2004, seven new dialysis sites have been established in Burin, Carbonear, Gander, St. Anthony, Labrador City, Port aux Basques and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, doubling the number of current dialysis sites throughout the province.

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2011 08 19                                                                      3:45 p.m.