New Equipment for Medical Facilities in Placentia and Whitbourne

Residents of Placentia, Whitbourne and surrounding areas are benefiting from an investment of approximately $1 million in funding for capital equipment, repairs and renovations to the Placentia Health Care Centre and the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Keith Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s; Fay Matthews, Vice-President of Regional Community Health Services and Public Health, Eastern Health; Dan Greene, Deputy Mayor of Placentia; and Lloyd Gosse, Mayor of Whitbourne for today’s announcements.

“This investment is another example of how our government is well on the way to implementing our long-term vision for health care in this province” said Minister Kennedy. “Both the Placentia Health Care Centre and the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne provide essential health services. The purchase of this new equipment helps ensure continued access to quality health care for residents in the area."

Funding for the Placentia Health Care Centre includes approximately $113,000 for the purchase of two lab analyzers, a new refrigerator for the lab, and a bathing system. Funding totaling $569,300 was provided for repairs and renovations which include the final phase of a roof replacement, the continued replacement of the sub floor and an evaluation of the water system.

The Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne received approximately $287,000 for the purchase of a central cardiac monitor and two cardiac monitoring systems.

“I am extremely pleased with these announcements,” said Minister Collins. “There has been considerable investment by our government in health care in Placentia and Whitbourne and this is a continuation of that support. With the expected growth in the region, these two centres are vital to our long-term health care needs, and I welcome these improvements to the facilities.”

Since 2003-04, approximately $3.2 million has been invested in equipment and repairs to the Placentia Health Care Centre and the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre. Other health-related investments made in the area in 2010-11 include $12,000 for Whitbourne Sports and Recreation through the Provincial Wellness Strategy and $9,000 for the Father Val Power Centre in St. Mary’s through the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants program.

“This funding is very good news for both our patients and staff in the Whitbourne and Placentia areas,” said Ms. Matthews. “It will address a wide range of needs, allowing us to continue to provide safe and effective care to patients, to ensure that laboratory specimens are appropriately stored and analyzed and to maintain the integrity and safety of our buildings. All of this helps us to deliver quality health care.”

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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2011 01 14                                                                            1:10 p.m.