New Health Care Equipment and Infrastructure Upgrades Announced in Port Saunders and Daniel’s Harbour

The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced over $770,000 for new health care equipment and capital repairs and renovations in the communities of Port Saunders and Daniel’s Harbour. Minister Kennedy was joined by Wally Young, MHA for St. Barbe, and Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO of Western Health, for today’s announcements.

“The Provincial Government recognizes the importance of providing quality health care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, especially in rural areas of our province and we continue to further our commitment through significant investments,” said Minister Kennedy. “We know that individuals want access to health care services as close to home as possible and our investments on the west coast of the province help ensure those services are in place.”

Approximately $89,000 has been allocated from Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador for new equipment at the Rufus Guinchard Health Centre in Port Saunders, including an EKG recorder machine and an exercise bike used for physiotherapy. Budget 2011 also provides $400,000 for infrastructure upgrades to the facility, including a new ambulance garage. The tender for construction of the garage will be issued tomorrow.

“The residents in our area are so pleased that the government continues to invest in health care facilities in rural areas,” said MHA Young. “It is important for people to have access to modern equipment and see improvements to infrastructure that will meet their health care needs close to home.”

The Daniel’s Harbour Medical Clinic was provided approximately $285,000 for repairs and renovations that include improvements to the pharmacy area and the office and clinic space for the physician, public health nurses and nurse practitioner. The tender for that work will also be issued tomorrow.

“We thank the Provincial Government for their support for enhancements to Rufus Guinchard Health Centre and the Daniel’s Harbour Medical Clinic,” said Dr. Gillam. “This investment will help Western Health make upgrades to our facilities and purchase the necessary equipment to provide quality services for the benefit of people in the surrounding communities.”

In the past eight years, approximately $1.2 million has been invested to purchase new equipment at the health centres in Norris Point and Port Saunders and the health clinics in Woody Point and Cow Head. In addition, approximately $1.6 million has been invested during this time for repairs and renovations to the health centres in Norris Point and Port Saunders and the health clinics in Woody Point, Daniel’s Harbour and Cow Head.

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 12             2:10 p.m.