Health and Community Services
February 2, 2011

Update Provided on Satellite Dialysis Services
for Port aux Basques and Labrador City

In the spring of 2011 two new satellite dialysis sites in Port aux Basques and Labrador City will become operational and begin providing dialysis patients who are medically stable with services close to their homes.

“Increasing dialysis services and allowing people to stay as close to their homes as possible to receive treatments is a key focus for this government,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Investing in these services is an investment in our people and their overall quality of life. These new units will impact these communities positively, especially the people and their families who currently have to travel for treatment.”

The satellite dialysis site in Port aux Basques will be located at the LeGrow Health Centre and will meet the current demands for the area and allow for future increases if required. Tenders are currently out for the renovations to the site. Plans are in place for the purchase of the new dialysis equipment as well as for staff training. Once operational, the facility will allow patients to receive dialysis in Port aux Basques.

“We are working diligently to ensure that the planning and implementation of the satellite dialysis unit in Port aux Basques moves ahead as efficiently as possible,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO, Western Health. “The four-bed unit will have a significant impact on the quality of life for those who will be able to receive their dialysis at LeGrow Health Centre.”

The satellite dialysis site in Labrador City will be located at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital. Development of the space that will house the dialysis unit has been completed, and the new dialysis equipment is waiting to be installed. Nursing staff have been recruited and are receiving training, and a biomedical position has been recruited and trained to maintain the equipment. Upon completion and opening of this unit, the facility will provide capacity for patients currently requiring dialysis in the area as well as provide additional capacity if required.

“We look forward with anticipation to the opening of our satellite dialysis unit at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital,” said Boyd Rowe, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health. “With professionally trained staff and modern equipment, we will offer dialysis services to medically stable clients, close to their homes and families in Labrador West. We thank the Department of Health and Community Services for its valued ongoing dedication to improving the range and quality of health services available to residents of Labrador.”

“I am very pleased to see the progress that is being made at both of these new dialysis sites,” said Minister Kennedy. “I understand the stress that people are under when they have to travel or relocate to receive this vital service. This government has made significant investments over the years to increase dialysis services throughout the province and we will continue to address this issue.”

In Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government announced $1.1 million to establish two new satellite dialysis units in Port aux Basques and Labrador City.

Since 2003-04 the Provincial Government has increased its annual expenditure on dialysis by 55 per cent. In 2010-11, $22.7 million was invested in dialysis services throughout the province. Since 2004, five new dialysis sites have been established and expanded in Burin, Carbonear, Gander, St. Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. With the addition of the two new sites in Port aux Basques and Labrador City, there will be 14 dialysis units operating throughout the province.

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2011 02 02                                                      11:55 a.m.