Health Care Equipment Upgrades Announced for Norris Point

Residents of Norris Point and the surrounding areas are benefiting from a total investment of $387,500 through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador for capital equipment and repairs and renovations at the Bonne Bay Health Centre, the Woody Point Clinic, the Jackson’s Arm Clinic and the Cow Head Clinic. The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by Wally Young, MHA for St. Barbe; Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO of Western Health; and Howard Neil, Mayor of Norris Point, for today’s announcement.

“The health centres and facilities in these communities offer quality health care services to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Kennedy. “Our government has made significant investments in health care on the west coast and this latest announcement demonstrates our continuing commitment to ensuring that people have access to quality health care in rural areas of the province.”

The Provincial Government is investing $237,500 in the Bonne Bay Health Centre in Norris Point for new equipment, which includes an electronic blood pressure monitor, an exercise bicycle used for physiotherapy, a pressure reduction mattress and eight accessible patient beds with exit alarms.

“These investments in new equipment for health care services mean a great deal to people in the area,” said MHA Young. “We welcome the funding for the new equipment and look forward to using it to benefit the health needs of patients who come to the Bonne Bay Health Centre.”

New air conditioning systems will also be supplied and installed through an investment of $150,000 at health clinics in Woody Point, Jackson’s Arm, and Cow Head. The new systems will enhance conditions for both patients and employees.

“We are appreciative of this significant investment which will enhance our ability to provide quality services at the Bonne Bay Health Centre,” said Dr. Gillam. “The financial support to purchase this new equipment will assist in improving health care services in the smaller communities of our region.”

Budget 2011 furthered the Provincial Government’s commitment of advancing health infrastructure with a total investment of $272.2 million, which includes $200.6 million for new and continuing construction and redevelopment projects, $50 million for new equipment and $21.6 million for repairs and renovations.

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2011 07 11             10:45 a.m.