NLIS 11

March 30, 2004
(Health and Community Services)

 

Health Care System Revitalization Begins with Primary Health Care

Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health and Community Services, said today that the revitalization and future sustainability of Newfoundland and Labrador�s health and community services system begins with primary health care renewal.

The government announced an investment of $4.3 million through the federal government�s Primary Health Care Transition Fund in Budget 2004 to develop new primary health care sites across the province in the first phase of primary health care renewal.

"This government is committed to building a stronger foundation of front-line health and community services throughout the province," said Minister Marshall. "We have a framework for primary health care, supported by our health care professionals, that provides the opportunity for front-line professionals to work with each other in a team environment."

The funding will support transitional costs of implementing large scale, primary health care initiatives intended to improve access and integration of services through sustainable changes in the organization, funding and delivery of primary health care services.

In the initial phase of renewal, seven proposals were accepted for implementation. Primary health care teams will be established over the next year in Grenfell, Bonne Bay, Connaigre Peninsula, Labrador East, Bonavista, Twillingate/New World Island and St. John�s. Once implementation is underway, the department will work with other communities to develop similar plans.

"Patients will benefit through improved access to a continuum of family health providers who will provide care when and where they need it," said Minister Marshall. "Providing greater access to front-line health care will reduce the strain on hospitals and emergency rooms in the system."

Primary health care renewal will create networks that allow physicians, nurses, public health officials, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other care providers to work together to provide comprehensive and accessible care to communities.

In 2000, the federal government launched the Primary Health Care Transition Fund to assist provincial and territorial governments with transitional costs as they renew their primary health care systems. Newfoundland and Labrador�s share of this funding is $9.7 million.

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications (709) 729-1377

2004 03 30                                        3:00 p.m.


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