July 25, 2012
Patient Care Improved Through Funding for Clarenville Health Care Services
The Dunderdale Government continues to invest in a strong healthcare system for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with funding of more than $1.9 million announced today for health care in Clarenville. Funding is being provided to the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital for infrastructure upgrades and medical equipment, as well as for site work for the new protective care residence that will be built in the community.
The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined at the hospital by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North, and Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO, Eastern Health, for today’s announcement.
“Improving access to health care services for residents in every region across the province remains an important priority for our government,” said Minister Sullivan. “The funding we are announcing today for the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital and the new protective care residence will enhance the delivery of health care services in the region. Our investments today will ensure a strong health care system for our children and our province for many years to come.”
The Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital will receive $775,500 for capital equipment including:
- $736,000 to replace an x-ray machine, and,
- $39,500 for three replacement refrigerators for the blood collection and lab areas of the hospital.
“The Dr. G.B Cross Memorial Hospital is of vital importance to the delivery of health care services for Clarenville and the surrounding communities,” said Mr. Wiseman. “As this community and region grows, it is important that we maintain strong health services that meet our needs today, tomorrow and well into the future.”
Ongoing renovations at the hospital will be supported with an investment of $704,000. This funding has been allocated for the continued expansion of the outpatient surgical services area.
The Provincial Government is also continuing with the development of a new protective care residence in Clarenville that was first announced in Budget 2011. Through a further investment of $500,000, site development, which includes the installation of water and sewer, will be carried out at the future location which is located in close proximity to the hospital.
“This significant investment will enhance both access to and delivery of a range of health care services to those we serve in the Clarenville area,” said Ms. Kaminski. “It will help to ensure accuracy in diagnostic imaging, allow us to expand our reach to those who need outpatient surgery and advance the plans for a protective care facility for those facing the unique challenges of dementia.”
Since 2004, patient care at G.B. Cross has been enhanced through Provincial Government investments of approximately $6.6 million. The funding has enabled the purchase of medical equipment including a CT scanner, digital mammography unit, bone density unit, ultrasound unit, physiological system monitors and two anaesthetic machines.
The hospital has also received $5.1 million in major redevelopment funding during this period. Infrastructure upgrades include: the redevelopment of space to accommodate the new CT scanner, renovations to the mammography unit and replacement of the facility’s roof.
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Media contacts:
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Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Caroline Frost Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Ross Wiseman MHA for Trinity North 709-466-4165 CarolineFrost@gov.nl.ca |
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Zelda Burt Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 Zelda.Burt@easternhealth.ca |
2012 07 25 12:55 p.m.