July 29, 2011
Significant Health Care Investments Announced for Carbonear and Region
Through an investment of approximately $1.2 million, health services at the Carbonear General Hospital will be further enhanced. The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined for the announcement today by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services and MHA for Trinity - Bay de Verde; Pat Coish-Snow, Vice-President, Regional Acute Care, Eastern Health; and, Sam Slade, Mayor of Carbonear.
“Investing in the Carbonear General Hospital builds health care capacity for this facility and for all of the communities that use these services,” said Minister Kennedy. “The new equipment and repairs that are being announced today support the region and help ensure we are prepared to meet the needs of today and into the future.”
Through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, the hospital will receive $606,700 for key pieces of new equipment. This funding will purchase:
- nine replacement dialysis units;
- a laproscopy cart;
- four laprascopes;
- an arthroscope used for joint diagnostic and treatment procedures;
- eight phototherapy units;
- a diagnostic display monitor; and,
- four stretchers.
“I am extremely pleased with this announcement,” said Minister Johnson. “Investing in new medical equipment for Carbonear General Hospital will benefit the residents of the Trinity - Bay de Verde area and shows the commitment that our government has to providing the best health care possible in our province.”
Carbonear General Hospital will also benefit from $585,000 for roof repairs and upgrades to the air handling unit.
“The investments in new equipment, repairs and renovations for the Carbonear General Hospital will assist Eastern Health enhance and improve the delivery of services in the local area,” said Ms. Coish-Snow. “On behalf of Eastern Health, I welcome the continued investments of the Provincial Government to health services that help us provide quality and safe care to the people we serve.”
In addition to the funding for the hospital, $22,000 is also being provided to Carbonear Interfaith to purchase patient lifts, and $4,500 for the Health and Community Services office in Harbour Grace to purchase an infusion syringe pump.
“This equipment and repairs are investments in the health of the people who live in these communities,” said Minister Kennedy. “The new dialysis units are but one example of how our government is ensuring that all residents have important health care services close to their homes.”
Budget 2011 also allocated $20 million for the continued construction of the new 250-bed long-term care facility in Carbonear. The facility will include space for recreation therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and spirituality and is expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2014.
The Provincial Government is also continuing its planning and development of an adult residential addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace.
Over the last several years the Provincial Government has invested approximately $18.4 million in the Carbonear General Hospital, Carbonear Interfaith and Harbour Lodge as part of its health care infrastructure investment funding. Significant investments in infrastructure across the province are continued in Budget 2011 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 |
Josephine Hogan Executive Assistant to Honourable Charlene Johnson MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde 709 -729-0160 josephinehogan@gov.nl.ca |
|
Zelda Burt Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 Zelda.Burt@easternhealth.ca |
2011 07 29 11:30 a.m.