$797,300 Announced for Health Care Facilities; Minister Cuts
Ribbon on Dialysis Unit in Port aux Basques

The Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre in Port aux Basques and the Calder Health Centre in Burgeo will benefit from significant funding for infrastructure upgrades and new capital equipment. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by health officials for the announcement and to officially open the new dialysis unit at the Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre.

“Our government continues to make strategic investments in health care infrastructure and services throughout the province,” said Minister Sullivan. “We continue to build our health care capacity and ability to provide exceptional care for residents as close to their homes as possible. The residents in Port aux Basques and Burgeo will benefit from these enhancements today, tomorrow and into the future.”

Funding announced for the Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre includes $325,000 for kitchen upgrades and renovations to medical imaging and laboratory services. An additional $349,400 has been allocated for the purchase of equipment including:

• $200,000 for the replacement of kitchen equipment;
• $22,500 for a bariatric bed, mattress, and wheelchair; and
• $22,000 for fluid analyzers and centrifuges.

The Calder Health Centre will receive $122,900 for the purchase of medical equipment including:

• $24,000 for a cardiac monitor;
• $17,000 for an EKG machine; and,
• $12,000 for electronic patient beds.

“Today’s announcements for funding for medical and laboratory equipment will enhance our ability to provide quality health care services to the people in the Port aux Basques area and in Burgeo,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO, Western Health. “We are pleased to partner with the Provincial Government to make strategic investments in health care in our region.”

While in Port aux Basques, Minister Sullivan was pleased to mark the official opening of the dialysis unit at the Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The unit has been operational since June 2011 and provides dialysis services to 12 patients, three days a week. The Provincial Government allocated $1.1 million to establish new satellite dialysis units in Port aux Basques and Labrador West.

“We have heard from residents and have identified dialysis enhancements as a priority for this government,” said Minister Sullivan. “We have made, and will continue to make, significant investments to enhance the delivery of dialysis services throughout the province. The addition of this new unit at the LeGrow Health Centre positively impacts the quality of life of people who receive dialysis by allowing them to remain as close to home as possible for treatment.”

Including investments made in Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $189 million for the provision of dialysis services in the province since 2004. During that same period, seven new dialysis sites have been established in Burin, Carbonear, Gander, St. Anthony, Labrador City, Port aux Basques and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, doubling the number of dialysis sites throughout the province. An additional site has also been announced for Harbour Breton.

Over the past nine years, approximately $5.3 million has been invested in repairs, renovations, and capital equipment purchases at the Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre. Infrastructure upgrades have included the replacement of flooring and water tanks and improvements to the centre’s elevators and medical gas systems. Medical equipment purchases have included a new x-ray unit, ultrasound equipment and a medication dispensing system.

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2012 08 13                           1:10 p.m.