July 26, 2012
Residents of Burin to Benefit from Health Care Investments
Investments in health care facilities are investments in the health of residents and communities said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, today as she announced funding for the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. The minister was joined by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education and MHA for Burin-Placentia West; the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Grand Bank; Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue; and, Vickie Kaminski, CEO of Eastern Health, for today’s announcement.
“Health care services provided at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre will be enhanced through an investment of $804,800,” said Minister Sullivan. “Upgrades will continue to ensure that our medical professionals have the tools they need to deliver the best possible care to the people of the Burin Peninsula.”
The Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre will receive $573,800 for infrastructure upgrades including $400,000 for the replacement of the facility’s air conditioning unit and $173,800 to complete renovations to the Ambulatory Care Unit.
“This health care facility provides important services to the people of Burin and the surrounding communities,” said Minister Jackman. “Today’s announcement of new equipment and infrastructure upgrades demonstrates our government’s commitment to rural Newfoundland and Labrador and the health of our population.”
A total investment of $231,000 is also being made in the health centre to allow for the purchase of capital equipment including:
- $96,000 for eight laboratory refrigerators;
- $40,000 for the replacement of electronic patient beds; and,
- $26,000 for a blood bank refrigerator and plasma freezer.
“Enhancing services and ensuring our facilities are maintained strengthens health care on the Burin Peninsula, and throughout our province,” said Minister King. “As we look towards the future for this region, I am pleased to see our government continue to make these important investments in our communities.”
Over the past nine years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $8.7 million in repairs and renovations and equipment purchases at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. Examples of this significant investment include the replacement of the facility’s roof and the purchase of a digital mammography unit, CT scanner, x-ray machine, and ultrasound equipment.
“Providing access to a reliable health care system is a top priority for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and our government,” said Mr. Peach. “The Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre plays an important role in providing care to this peninsula and the people in the Bellevue area. I applaud our government’s efforts to invest strategically in the people of this region.”
Work also continues on the new primary health care centre in Marystown North. Recently site work has been completed and design work of the facility is nearing completion. A tender for the construction of the health care centre is expected to be issued within a month. Once complete, the centre will provide residents in the region with improved access to physicians, a nurse practitioner, and community health nurses.
“We are encouraged by the Provincial Government’s ongoing investments in the quality and delivery of health care services to those we serve on the Burin Peninsula,” said Ms. Kaminski. “Today’s announcements will help to strengthen our infrastructure, preserve the integrity of vital blood products and expand access to primary health care, all of which are a priority for Eastern Health.”
Several health and wellness initiatives on the Burin Peninsula have also recently been funded by the Provincial Government, including $19,400 in Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants to support the Town of Grand Bank and the Burin Easy Striders group in Lewin’s Cove to help create more age-friendly communities; and, $15,000 for the Burin Senior Citizens 50+ Club to expand their service offerings to seniors in the area through the Provincial Wellness Grants program.
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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 |
Janice Brushett Executive Assistant to the Honourable Clyde Jackman MHA for Burin - Placentia West 709-891-5607 janicebrushett@gov.nl.ca |
Derick Reid Executive Assistant to the Honourable Darin King MHA for Grand Bank 709-729-1658 derickreid@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 TessBurke@gov.nl.ca |
Zelda Burt Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 Zelda.Burt@easternhealth.ca |
2012 07 26 9:30 a.m.