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Health and Community Services
August 31, 2011

Funding Announced for Health Care Facilities in Corner Brook

Health care services in Corner Brook and the surrounding region will be enhanced with an investment of approximately $3.4 million by the Provincial Government. This funding has been allocated for capital equipment and renovation projects at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, Corner Brook Interfaith Cottages and Corner Brook Long Term Care Home.

“Our government is committed to providing access to quality health care throughout the province and today’s investments will build on our regional health care infrastructure,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “These facilities serve the people of Corner Brook and many communities on the west coast. It is essential that we continue to invest in new pieces of equipment and facility upgrades to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of health care services throughout the province.”

The Provincial Government is investing approximately $3 million in Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Approximately $2.9 million is allocated for new equipment and includes the replacement of dialysis machines, ventilators, an ambulance, and a new ultrasound machine. Renovations, valued at $140,000, will be made to the medical imaging and switchboard areas of the hospital.

“Quality health care services and facilities are important to all residents of the province, especially our seniors,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East. “This additional investment for new, modern equipment for Western Memorial Regional Hospital and renovations at the hospital and the Interfaith Cottages will provide lasting benefits to all residents of the western region.”

Ongoing improvements to the Corner Brook Interfaith Cottages will also continue with an investment of $250,000 for renovations. These funds will be used for the replacement of shingles, windows and siding.

“I am delighted with the continued support for health care in our region,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “Residents have communicated to me their expectations of an accessible, quality health care system, and our government has certainly acknowledged this by providing much needed equipment for our hospital and renovations to the senior’s cottages.”

The Corner Brook Long Term Care Home, which opened in June 2010, has also been allocated $148,000 to purchase a drug distribution system, six low-air-loss mattresses and two medication carts. This 236-bed facility provides both long-term placements and short-stay beds for elderly persons with high level needs.

“Western Health is pleased with the funding for new equipment and renovations at our facilities,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, Chief Executive Officer, Western Health. “The continued investment in health care will enable us to provide quality health care services to the people in our region.”

In addition to the funding allocated to the Corner Brook Long Term Care Home, Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provided $3 million to increase the long-term bed capacity at this facility from 236 to 244 beds.

Since 2003-04, the Provincial Government has invested over $52 million in Western Memorial Regional Hospital, Corner Brook Long Term Care Home, Corner Brook Interfaith Cottages and other health care facilities in Corner Brook for capital equipment, repairs and renovations. Budget 2011 provided a total investment of $272.2 million for health care infrastructure throughout the province, including investments in new and continuing construction, new medical equipment and repairs and maintenance.

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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
Lary Wells
Executive Assistant to
Honourable Tom Marshall
MHA for Humber East
709-637-2575
larrywells@gov.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Director of Communications
Western Health
709-637-5252
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca

2011 08 31                                     10:40 a.m.

 
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