Health and Community Services
April 13, 2011

Enhancements to Dialysis Services Throughout the Province to Benefit Patients

Improving access to essential health care services in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a major priority for the Provincial Government. Budget 2011 will provide an investment of $3.1 million for dialysis enhancements in Burin, St. John’s, Stephenville, St. Anthony and Labrador City, as well as the establishment of satellite dialysis in Harbour Breton. The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today.

“Our government recognizes that improved access to health care services throughout the province is important to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and our investment in Budget 2011 illustrates our continued commitment in this area,” said Minister Kennedy. “We understand that enhancing this service as close to home as possible for residents of this province is valuable and contributes to reduced stress on the patient and their families.”

The overall investment in dialysis services in Budget 2011 will include $1.1 million for the establishment of a new six-station satellite dialysis service at the Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre in Harbour Breton. This satellite service will have the capacity to provide dialysis service for up to 24 medically-stable residents.

“As a result of this service, access for dialysis service in the region will be improved,” said Minister Kennedy. “At the moment, individuals who require dialysis services in the Connaigre region must relocate or travel to Grand Falls-Windsor to avail of the service. Our investment through Budget 2011 means these residents will have access to dialysis service near their homes and reduce the need to travel, sometimes daily, to receive this service.”

Budget 2011 also includes the following enhancements to dialysis services throughout the province:

• $760,800 for expansion of the Home Hemodialysis Program in St. John’s. This investment will increase the home dialysis capability to care for 12 additional patients. Home hemodialysis eliminates the necessity for patients to commute or relocate to access dialysis treatment;
• $631,200 to increase access to dialysis services in the Burin region. This investment will increase capacity for up to an additional 12 patients at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre and reduce the wait list for dialysis treatment in the region;
• $301,500 to expand operating hours at the dialysis unit at Charles Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony. This investment will increase capacity at the dialysis unit to accommodate a minimum of four additional clients in the region;
• $164,600 to expand dialysis services at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville. This investment will add one more dialysis station to the dialysis program, bringing the total number to five, as well as provide for a backup unit at the hospital; and,
• $91,800 to enhance service at the dialysis unit at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City. This investment will help improve patient care and provide services to individuals within their home region.

“Our significant investment in Budget 2011 to enhance dialysis services in this province is a further example of our overall commitment to improving our health care system,” said Minister Kennedy. “By making strategic investments today, we ensure an accessible and responsive health care system for future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

Over the last eight years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $151.1 million in provision of dialysis services in the province. Currently, the province has 14 dialysis sites. Services are offered in Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Burin, Carbonear, Clarenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, Stephenville, and in St John’s (at the Health Sciences Centre, St. Clare’s, and the Waterford Hospital), Labrador City and in the coming months Port aux Basques.

• Video of news conference

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2011 04 13                                                                               11:30 a.m.