July 24, 2012
Funding Announced for Medical Facilities in the Twillingate Area
Medical facilities in Twillingate and the surrounding communities of Fogo Island, Change Islands and New World Island will receive $424,500 in funding for new equipment and infrastructure upgrades through Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today in Twillingate.
Minister Sullivan was joined by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame, and Karen McGrath, CEO, Central Health for the announcement.
“Today’s investments reflect our government’s commitment to providing quality health care services throughout the province,” said Minister Sullivan. “We are continuing to invest in rural Newfoundland and Labrador to support the growth and development of medical programs and services. These enhancements to the area’s health centres and medical clinics will benefit the residents of Twillingate and the surrounding area for years to come.”
The Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre in Twillingate has been allocated $261,100 for infrastructure improvements and the purchase of new medical equipment including:
- $56,000 for 10 electronic patient beds;
- $50,000 for an ultrafuge centrifuge and aerofuge centrifuge; and,
- $46,800 for three intravenous and six infusion pumps.
“Our government continues to invest in essential health care services to increase access in rural communities and ensure we have a strong health care system for all of our residents,” said Minister Dalley. “Rural Newfoundland and Labrador has always played an important role in our province and I am pleased that we continue to strengthen the services provided in this region and to these communities.”
The Fogo Island Health Centre will receive $123,400 to purchase capital equipment and to renovate the centre’s blood collection area and laboratory. Two new EKG machines will be purchased for the Change Islands Community Health Centre and New World Island Community Health Centre at a cost of $40,000.
“We are pleased to partner with the Provincial Government to make strategic investments in health care in the Twillingate area,” said Ms. McGrath. “The Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre provides important health services to the people of this area and the equipment announced for this facility today supports access to quality services.”
Significant health care investments have been made in the Twillingate area since 2004. Approximately $6.3 million has been directed to the purchase of medical equipment and to fund renovations. Heating and ventilation upgrades, roof repairs and upgrades to the long-term care unit are among the improvements to the Notre Dame Bay Health Centre. In the last year, the emergency room at the Fogo Island Health Centre has been refitted and hematology analyzers and EKG monitors have been purchased for the site. The Change Islands and New World Island Community Health Centres have benefitted from funding for space upgrades and new medical equipment.
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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 |
Darrell Hynes Executive Assistant to the Honourable Derrick Dalley MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame 709-729-0739 darrellhynes@gov.nl.ca |
| Stephanie Power Director of Communications Central Health 709-256-5532 stephanie.power@centralhealth.nl.ca |
2012 07 24 2:35 p.m.