Health and Community Services
December 28, 2017

New Long-Term Care Beds and Advanced Mental Health Care Among 2017 Successes

Advances in mental health and addictions, acute and long-term care health infrastructure, home and community care supports, and forward-thinking legislation are just some of the initiatives implemented by the department in 2017. These activities were commitments in The Way Forward.

After just six months, 51 of the 54 recommendations in Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador are complete or in-progress:

  • Construction of a new 164-bed hospital in Corner Brook is underway;
  • Approximately 360 long-term care beds will be added to the system with new construction announced for Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander;
  • A total of 28 more long-term care beds will be opened in Carbonear in the new year;
  • The Enhanced Care in Personal Care Homes is now a permanent care option following the results of a successful pilot project;
  • The Newfoundland and Labrador Opioid Action Plan has been implemented and is helping to address the increasing number of overdoses and deaths caused by opioids, including fentanyl;
  • The Chronic Disease Action Plan was introduced to support health care providers in delivering quality, person-centred care and to empower people to achieve personal health goals. As part of this plan, remote patient monitoring and telehealth is helping increase patient access to care;
  • A midwifery consultant has been hired to support regulated practice; and
  • Legislation has been introduced and passed to enhance patient care and protection including the Patient Safety Act and the Prescription Monitoring Program.

Quote
“As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2017, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the many individuals and community organizations with whom we have partnered to effect change in the health care system. As we look to 2018, and the work laid before us, I hope to continue these successful collaborations. I would also like to thank the thousands of health care professionals, who each day contribute their passion and vision, to the health care system in our province.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

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Learn More
Provincial Government Releases Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan Six-Month Update - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/1220n04.aspx

Premier Ball Announces New Acute Care Regional Hospital for Western Newfoundland - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/exec/0217n01.aspx

Premier Announces New Long-Term Care Home for Corner Brook - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/exec/0120n02.aspx

Provincial Government Announces New Long-Term Care Homes for Central Newfoundland - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/exec/1127n01.aspx

Local Veteran Honoured with Official Naming of Carbonear Long-Term Care Home - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/1211n03.aspx

Provincial Government Increases Personal Care Home Subsidies - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/0901n03.aspx

Minister Haggie Outlines Province’s Opioid Action Plan at National Summit - gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/health/1121n04.aspx

Minister Haggie Releases Chronic Disease Action Plan - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/0619n01.aspx

Midwifery Consultant Starts Important Work - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/0926n02.aspx

Minister Haggie Introduces New Health Legislation - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/0307n02.aspx

Minister Haggie Introduces New Prescription Monitoring Program Legislation to Address Drug Abuse and Inappropriate Prescribing - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/1115n01.aspx

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Media contact
Emily Timmins
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 693-1292
EmilyTimmins@gov.nl.ca

2017 12 28                              2:10 p.m.