Happy Valley-Goose Bay Boosted by Health Care Investments

Over $2.2 million is being provided for health care equipment, renovations and infrastructure in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River and Churchill Falls through Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future.

“Labrador is filled with development and employment opportunities and our government is investing to ensure that our health care services can meet the demands,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We know that there is great potential in Labrador to help drive our province to an even brighter future. As we move down this road of prosperity together, we must ensure that we continue to provide accessible health care to the people who make this land their home.”

Over $1.7 million is allocated for new equipment and renovations for the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This includes six new dialysis machines, telehealth and laboratory equipment, a patient monitoring system and a dual detector general x-ray. Renovations are being made to the emergency department, medical records and outpatient areas to address an anticipated increase in services as a result of increased economic activity in the area.

“Investments in health care infrastructure and equipment are always welcome and those announced today will be of great benefit to the people of this region,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “Lake Melville is experiencing significant growth and we are making strategic investments to ensure that health care services meet the diverse needs of an expanding population.”

In Budget 2013, the Provincial Government allocated $500,000 to begin planning for the extension to the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay which is a direct result of the compensation collected through the Hebron Benefits agreement.

“The continued investment in our local health care facilities in the Lake Melville region benefits not only us here in our area but all of Labrador.” said Keith Russell, MHA for Lake Melville. “I am proud to be a part of a government that places such emphasis on the health of the people and the communities of Labrador.”

The North-West River Community Clinic is receiving a new powered ambulance cot and the Churchill Falls Community Clinic is getting new telehealth equipment.

“Labrador-Grenfell Health is responsible for delivering quality health care services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River and Churchill Falls, and we welcome the Provincial Government’s investment in these communities,” said Tony Wakeham, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health. “Funding for the re-design of the ER/Medical Records/Outpatient area at the Labrador Health Centre, will improve the delivery of services to our clients and create better working conditions for our staff.”

Since 2004, approximately $15 million has been invested in health care facilities in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the surrounding region. As a result, residents who use these services now have access to a chemotherapy suite; digital mammography machine; digital fluoroscopy unit; CT scanner; and, dialysis equipment. An additional $20 million was also invested for the construction of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long-Term Care Home which opened in 2010.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2013 05 28             4:05 p.m.