Health and Community Services
May 26, 2015

Supporting Health and Well-Being for Families and Communities

Contract Awarded to Increase Access to Oncology Services in Labrador West

Residents in the Labrador West area will benefit from increased access to services for cancer patients through the construction of a new oncology suite at the Labrador West Health Centre. A tender has been awarded to Enercon Builders Inc. to construct the new suite, made possible through a Budget 2015 investment of approximately $450,000.

"This latest offering is part of our government's continued commitment to enhanced cancer prevention and screening, as well as diagnosis, treatment and support to individuals and families across Newfoundland and Labrador. We are committed to making strategic investments when and where they are needed, and a new oncology suite at the Labrador West Health Centre represents yet another step toward creating a health care system that achieves better health outcomes, better care and better value for money."
-The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

An existing area within the Labrador West Health Centre will be significantly redeveloped to feature two chemotherapy lounge chairs, an observation office, dedicated washrooms and other enhancements.

"As the needs and expectations of cancer patients and their family members have changed in recent years, Labrador-Grenfell Health is responding to the call for an oncology service that promotes a positive and caring healing environment. We thank the Provincial Government for providing the funds needed to complete these important enhancements at the Labrador West Health Centre."
-Tony Wakeham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Labrador-Grenfell Health

The redevelopments at the health centre will also support a positive and therapeutic healing environment for patients and their families. In addition to new equipment, a number of other expansions and upgrades to the architectural, mechanical and electrical components of the oncology suite area will be completed to foster a more comfortable and home-like environment. The Provincial Government has invested a total of approximately $84.5 million to complete the Labrador West Health Centre, which opened in 2014 and offers a wide range of services, including community health care, laboratory and diagnostic imaging and an increased capacity for long-term care residents.

The Labrador West Health Centre and enhancements build on a total cumulative Provincial Government investment of approximately $1.4 billion in health care funding for Labrador since 2004.

"I am proud of our government's continued commitment to making investments where our residents need them most. The people of Labrador West and surrounding areas will benefit greatly from this new addition to the health centre and I am pleased to see the project progressing as planned."
- Nick McGrath, MHA for Labrador West

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has made significant advancements in cancer care through a total investment of more than $184 million in equipment, programs and services for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Provincial Government has awarded a tender to Enercon Builders Inc. to construct a new oncology suite at the Labrador West Health Centre.
• The new suite was made possible through a Budget 2015 investment of approximately $450,000.
• An existing area of the health centre will be redeveloped to feature two chemotherapy lounge chairs, an observation office, dedicated washrooms and a number of other expansions and upgrades to the architectural, mechanical and electrical components of the designated area.
• This the Labrador West Health Centre and enhancements build on a total cumulative Provincial Government investment of approximately $1.4 billion in health care funding for Labrador since 2004.
• Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested more than $184 million in equipment, programs, and services for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca	Allan Bock Director of Communications Labrador-Grenfell Health 709-897-2294 allan.bock@lghealth.ca
Linda Walsh Communications Manager House of Assembly Government Members Office 709-729-0898 lindajwalsh@gov.nl.ca

2015 05 26                              12:10 p.m.