Health and Community Services
August 13, 2015

Supporting Strong Communities through Enhanced Health Care Services

Over $6 Million Invested in Health Care for Grand Falls-Windsor and Buchans

Through a Provincial Government investment of more than $6 million, health care facilities in Grand Falls-Windsor and Buchans will benefit from new equipment and upgrades. Funding will support the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, Carmelite House, and the A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre. The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, was in Grand Falls Windsor to make the announcement today, together with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for the District of Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, and Rosemarie Goodyear, Chief Executive Officer, Central Health.

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to benefit from investments in the provincial health care system which increase access to quality programs and services. A strong, sustainable health care system will help to support the growth of healthy communities in our province for individuals, children and their families, and is an important component of our Population Growth Strategy”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor will benefit from an investment of approximately $5.9 million. Of this investment, about $1.8 million will be provided for new equipment and approximately $4.1 million will assist with facility upgrades. This funding builds on previously announced Budget 2015 investments, which provide $3.8 million for the development of a new endoscopy/cystoscopy suite and $1.2 million to commence laboratory upgrades at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre.

Carmelite House in Grand Falls-Windsor will receive approximately $6,000 for the purchase of a number of wheelchairs.

“We are pleased that the Provincial Government continues to invest in our facilities in Grand Falls-Windsor. Providing first-class health care continues to be of paramount importance to our residents. This new equipment and investment will certainly improve the quality of life for those using these services.”
- Al Hawkins, Mayor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor

A total investment of $60,000 has been allocated to the A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre in Buchans for new equipment and upgrades to the facility’s Palliative Care Room.

A summary of the funding is outlined in the backgrounder below.

“The people of Buchans are very pleased with the funding announced today for the A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre. It is very encouraging to know that even in these difficult economic times, the province remains strongly committed to rural health care.”
- Derm Corbett, Mayor, Town of Buchans

Budget 2015 includes a total of $133.7 million to ensure access to new and modern health care facilities and equipment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including $40 million for new health care equipment and $20 million for repair and renovation projects.

QUICK FACTS

• Through a Provincial Government investment of more than $6 million, health care facilities in Grand Falls-Windsor and Buchans will benefit from new equipment and upgrades.
• Funding will support the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, Carmelite House, and the A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre.
• Budget 2015 includes a total of $133.7 million to ensure access to new and modern health care facilities and equipment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including $40 million for new health care equipment and $20 million for repair and renovation projects.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca	Al Hawkins Mayor Town of Grand Falls-Windsor 709-489-0412 mayor@grandfallswindsor.com
Derm Corbett Mayor Town of Buchans 709-672-3972 townofbuchans@nf.aibn.com

BACKGROUNDER
2015 Health Care Investments for Grand Falls-Windsor and Buchans

Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre:

Approximately $4.1 million will be provided for:

• The continued development of the new dialysis unit; and
• The continuation of upgrades to the main electrical services for the centre.

Approximately $1.8 million of this funding will be used for the purchase of:

• Dialysis machines and dialysis chairs;
• Anesthesia machines;
• Operating room equipment;
• Ultrasound machine;
• Diagnostic imaging equipment; and
• Food services equipment;

Carmelite House:

Approximately $6,000 has been allocated for the purchase of wheelchairs.

A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre:

Approximately $60,000 will contribute to:

• Improvements to the Palliative Care room; and
• New wheelchairs.

2015 08 13             12:25 p.m.