New Investments Announced for Burin Peninsula Health Care Facilities

Communities on the Burin Peninsula continue to see benefits from the Provincial Government’s unprecedented health care investments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Approximately $368,000 was announced today for capital equipment, repairs and renovations for the Burin Peninsula Health Centre, the Blue Crest Nursing Home in Grand Bank, the Grand Bank Health Centre and U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence.

On behalf of the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Burin-Placentia West; the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and MHA for Grand Bank; and, Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue, made the announcement today at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre.

“Our government has made a commitment to address health care needs at all levels throughout the province,” said Minister Kennedy. “We have enhanced the delivery of our services and have made extensive investments in new infrastructure, renovations and capital equipment. Today’s announcement demonstrates how we are continuing to invest in rural Newfoundland and Labrador so that our health care services will benefit the people for years to come.”

Approximately $267,000 has been allocated for the Burin Peninsula Health Centre. This includes $216,000 for the creation of an ambulatory treatment area that will allow clinicians to increase the number of procedures performed on an outpatient basis and improve coordination of ambulatory procedures such as infusion and blood administration. As a result, this room will allow for appropriate use of ambulatory space and free up room for surgeons to perform more endoscopic procedures and therefore decrease wait times for this procedure.

“Health care is of the upmost importance to the people of the province,” said Minister Jackman. “Providing the necessary equipment and infrastructure is a key priority for our government and increased procedure levels and additional capital equipment in Burin is going to provide the residents of the region with further improved health care.”

Also, as part of the overall funding for the Burin Peninsula Health Centre, $35,000 will be provided for the creation of a dedicated medication room in the emergency department complete with medication refrigerator, medication preparation area with sink, storage cabinets and an eye wash station that will help ensure patient and staff safety. A new physician/consultation room will also be created to be used by physicians and nursing staff when confidentiality is required. In addition, $16,000 will be provided for capital equipment for the purchase of two vital signs monitors, three obstetrics sleeper chairs, a breastfeeding chair, and a pulse oximeter.

“Today’s investments reflect our government’s continued commitment to rural health care on the Burin Peninsula,” said Minister King. “I am pleased with these enhancements that will result in improved quality of health care.”

Approximately $65,000 has been budgeted for the Blue Crest Nursing Home in Grand Bank for upgrades to the parking lot and air conditioning unit. In addition, approximately $22,000 has been provided for the purchase of a telehealth video conferencing unit, vital signs monitor and chart storage unit at the Grand Bank Health Centre.

"I am very appreciative of this significant investment in our region's health care system," said Mr. Peach. "This is another testament to our government's commitment to providing quality and accessible health care to people of the Burin Peninsula and throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

The U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be provided $13,800 for the purchase of two resident electronic lifts, a vital signs monitor, blanket warmer and a pulse oximeter.

“Eastern Health welcomes this announcement and we thank the Provincial Government for continuing to make health care a priority,” said Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO, Eastern Health. “This investment for new equipment and renovations at our facilities on the Burin Peninsula will enhance the quality of care and services for the people in the area and help strengthen our health care system overall.”

Today’s announcement builds on recent investments made by the Provincial Government for health care centres on the Burin Peninsula, including approximately $1.1 million for capital equipment, repairs and renovations to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre; $502,000 to complete roof repairs on the Blue Crest Nursing Home; $500,000 for the planning of the new primary health care centre in Marystown North; $250,000, which had been allocated over the last two budgets for the U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence; and, $55,000 for the Grand Bank Health Care Centre for the purchase of two patient lifts and a bathing system

In addition, Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future includes other strategic investments in health care programs and services on the Burin Peninsula, including approximately $115,000 to hire a full-time nurse practitioner to help provide continuity of care to residents living in long-term care facilities; $110,100 to improve access to physiotherapy services in Grand Bank; $98,300 to expand the hours of operation of the operating rooms and special procedures at the Burin Peninsula Health Centre; and, $19,000 in Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants to support the Town of St. Lawrence and the Burin Senior Citizens Club to help create more age-friendly communities.

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2011 03 25             10:40 a.m.