Significant Health Care Funding Announced for the
Grand Falls-Windsor Region
Details surrounding a $4.2 million investment in health care infrastructure and equipment for the Grand Falls-Windsor region where outlined today. The Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre and Carmelite House will benefit from new medical equipment, upgrades and repairs.
The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans; Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Green Bay South; Karen McGrath, CEO, Central Health; and, Al Hawkins, Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, for today’s announcement.
“The investments that have been made in the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre have been significant, improving care and services for the people of this community and the region,” said Minister Kennedy. “Our government has ensured that this facility will continue to serve this area for years to come through investments in new equipment, repairs and the major redevelopment that is now in its third year, and through which our government will invest approximately $30 million in total to complete.”
The most recent allocation of approximately $3.6 million for the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre is for capital equipment including two ultrasound machines, a fluoroscopy unit, upgrade/replacement of four ultrasound transducers, two cystoscopes, laparoscopic instruments, a bariatric mechanical gynaecological exam table, three telemetry cardiac monitoring systems, three cardiac monitors, microscopes for urinalysis and histology, a blood gas analyzer and backup, an automated transfusion system, three hygiene chairs with scales, and a portable water osmosis system. In addition, $395,000 is allotted for roof repairs.
“The new equipment, upgrades and repairs, for both the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre and Carmelite House, demonstrate our government’s commitment to providing high quality healthcare,” said Minister Sullivan. “I am extremely pleased that area residents continue to have access to enhanced medical services.”
Through an investment of $212,280, Carmelite House, the long-term care facility in Grand Falls-Windsor, will benefit from several pieces of new equipment including a maxi move patient lift, stretcher tub lift, four sit-to-stand floor lifts with weight scales, 25 patient sit-to-stand lift slings, four patient floor lifts with powered positioning and scales, 128 patient floor lift slings and a hygiene chair with scale.
“I am delighted with this substantial investment in health care services in the Grand Falls-Windsor area,” said MHA Hunter. “Our government continues to invest heavily in the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, resulting in a rejuvenated facility that provides top-notch care and services for the region. In addition, the new equipment at Carmelite House will be of tremendous benefit to residents and assist staff in caring for them for many years to come.”
Over the last nine years, approximately $26.8 million has been allocated for capital equipment, repairs and renovations for the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre and Carmelite House.
"These investments in medical equipment and infrastructure for Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre support our goal to provide quality programs and services to the citizens of central region," said Ms. McGrath. "We are pleased to partner with government to enhance the provision of health care in this region."
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador furthered the Provincial Government’s commitment of advancing health infrastructure province-wide 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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Media contacts:
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Shelley Abbott Executive Assistant to the Honourable Susan Sullivan MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans 709-729-2568 shellyabbott@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Stephanie Power Director of Communications Central Health 709-256-5532 stephanie.power@centralhealth.nl.ca |
2011 07 22 11:55 a.m.