March 25, 1998
(Health)

$2 Million in Additional Funds for the 
Department of Health and Community Services

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health, announced today that an additional $2 million will be in the budget for the Department of Health and Community Services.

The added funds will enhance regional organizations' ability to deliver services in all areas of their mandate. The minister said, "These funds show government's continued commitment to a proactive community based health approach. With these funds there can be a stronger focus on protection, prevention, and early intervention."

The increased funding will be dispensed with $300,000 going to the Vaccination budget. This funding will address the second dose measles immunization for children introduced in September 1997, in accordance with national immunization recommendations, as well as the increased cost of the improved accullular pertussis (whooping cough) component for infant immunization programs throughout the province. The remaining funds will be used at provincial departmental and regional organizational levels including:

-Protection;
-Promotion;
-Prevention and Early Intervention;
-Mental Health;
-Addictions; and
-Continuing Care.

Community-based services provided by the Health and Community Services and Integrated Health organizations include Child Welfare and Community Corrections, Family and Rehabilitative Services, Addictions, Mental Health, Health Protection, Health Promotion, and Continuing Care.

Contact: Glenn Bruce, Director of Communications

(709) 729-1377.

--------------------------

FACT SHEET

Additional $2 Million for Department of
Health and Community Services

Two million dollars has been added to the budget of the Department of Health and Community Services, specifically targeted for enhancing health and community services provided through the Regional Health and Community Services and Integrated Health organizations. Community-based services provided by the Health and Community Services and Integrated Health organizations include Child Welfare and Community Corrections, Family and Rehabilitative Services, Addictions, Mental Health, Health Protection, Health Promotion, and Continuing Care.

The infusion of an additional $2 million will enhance regional organizations' ability to increase services in all areas of their mandate with a specific focus on protection, prevention, and early intervention.

Explanation and Impacts

- $300,000 has been allocated to the Vaccination budget of the Department of Health and Community Services to ensure continued funding of the second dose measles immunization for children introduced in September 1997, in accordance with national immunization recommendations. This additional funding will also address the increased cost of the improved accullular pertussis (whooping cough) component vaccines for infant immunization progams throughout the Province.

- The balance of the $2M will be allocated at provincial departmental and regional organizational levels to address needs identified in the Health and Community Services mandated areas. These include:

- Protection
- Promotion
- Prevention and Early Intervention
- Mental Health
- Addictions, and
- Continuing Care.

- This infusion of additional funds is a continuation of Government's commitment to enhancing population health oriented community-based programs and services.