August 31, 2011
Enhancements to Health Care Services to Benefit Patients in Stephenville Region
Health care facilities in Stephenville and Stephenville Crossing will receive approximately $1.7 million in Provincial Government funding for the purchase of capital equipment and repairs and renovations. This funding is provided through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador.
“One of our government’s key priorities is to enhance access to health care services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We are making significant investments in Stephenville and the surrounding communities to improve the delivery of essential health care services by purchasing new equipment and upgrading the facilities in this region.”
Over $1.3 million in funding has been allocated for the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville which includes approximately $1.1 million for the purchase of equipment such as a digital x-ray unit, dialysis machines, and an operating room table. The facility will also receive $250,000 for upgrades to the dialysis unit, registration area and the creation of a parking lot at the rear of the building.
As part of today’s announcement, $100,000 is allocated for the creation of office space for two physicians at the Bay St. George Medical Clinic in Stephenville, and $50,000 is being provided to upgrade the parking lot at the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital Annex located at 127 Montana Drive.
Recently, Western Health successfully recruited Dr. Wisam Jaber to practice at the Bay St. George Medical Clinic. The health authority is also in the process of recruiting a second physician for that clinic.
“I am pleased to see yet another significant investment to health care in the Bay St. George and surrounding areas,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education and MHA for St. George's - Stephenville East. “These improvements will assist in providing quality care to the residents of our area, and a greater working environment for our newly welcomed physician.”
The Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre in Stephenville Crossing will receive a total investment of $248,500. This funding will be used to purchase exercise equipment, ceiling track lifts, tub lift chairs and a service vehicle. This funding will also be used to replace the existing windows at the long-term care facility and be used for repairs to the centre’s 30 seniors’ cottages.
“Our government continues to make significant investments in health care in the Bay St. George, Stephenville and Port au Port region,” said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port. “Today’s announcement is a further demonstration of our government’s commitment to providing quality health care to our residents. The upgrades and enhancements being made to health care services, equipment and infrastructure is wonderful news.”
In addition to the infrastructure funding announced today, recent health care investments in this region include:
- $164,600 to expand dialysis services at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital to add one more dialysis station to the dialysis program, bringing the total number to five, as well as provide for a backup unit at the hospital;
- $700,000 for the replacement of the medical clinic in Jeffrey’s. This project is currently under construction and is anticipated to be completed by the end of September; and,
- $250,000 to renovate the medical clinic in Lourdes. This work is currently underway and will include the construction of a building extension.
“We welcome these continued investments to upgrade our facilities and purchase new equipment,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, Chief Executive Officer, Western Health. “This funding will enhance our ability to serve the people of Stephenville and the Bay St. George area with quality health care services.”
Since 2003-04, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $8.9 million in infrastructure for the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, Bay St. George Long Term Care Facility, and the medical centres located throughout the region. Budget 2011 included a total investment of $272.2 million for health care infrastructure throughout the province, 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.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Janine Carter Constituency Assistant to Honourable Joan Burke MHA for St. George’s-Stephenville East 709-643-8663 janinecarter@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 3:45 p.m.