Health and Community Services
January 27, 2011

Clarenville Hospital to be Renovated

Residents of Clarenville and the surrounding area will benefit from $475,600 in funding for renovations to the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital that will allow for improved access to outpatient surgical services and four new inpatient beds.

“This funding shows our government’s continued commitment to improving health care for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “These renovations will help reduce wait times for diagnostic procedures, improve the quality of care and allow people to avail of important services closer to home."

Renovations will include the creation of two day surgery rooms; a new special procedure room and endoscopy suite; the relocation and expansion of a recovery room; and, the reconfiguration of the inpatient area.

"I am delighted our government continues making strategic investment in our health care system," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Trinity North. "These renovations will improve patient access and support the great work of our competent staff."

"With an increased focus on ambulatory services, Eastern Health welcomes this announcement," said Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO of Eastern Health. "The Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital is also proud to have recruited three general surgeons over the past year. With this investment in our infrastructure we will be better positioned to provide a solid, accessible surgery service."

In September 2010, Minister Kennedy announced $877,000 in funding for the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital for capital equipment, repairs and renovations, including cardiac equipment and bed replacements.

Today’s funding announcement brings the total Provincial Government investment in the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital since 2003 to approximately $8.7 million for capital equipment, repairs and renovations. This includes approximately $6.3 million in capital equipment such as a new CT scanner, a digital mammography unit, an ultrasound machine and system upgrade, two anaesthetic machines, defibrillators, a bone density machine, bed replacements, and cardiac and laboratory equipment. Approximately $2.4 million was invested for repairs and renovations, including roof replacement, and renovations to accommodate the mammography unit and CT scanner.

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 27                                                    2:00 p.m.