Government invests $1.05 million in medical equipment for Burin

Premier Danny Williams and Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer, along with Clyde Jackman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and MHA for Burin-Placentia West, today announced a $1.05 million investment toward a new CT Scanner to service over 23,000 residents of the Burin Peninsula. The Premier, Minister Ottenheimer and Mr. Jackman joined Eastern Health Chair Joan Dawe and Cyril Dodge, Chairperson, Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre for the official announcement.

"Patients and care providers will see tremendous benefits from improved access to new and expanded diagnostic technology," said Premier Williams. "A new CT Scanner will improve our ability to recruit and retain physicians; allow residents of the Burin Peninsula to travel less to obtain these important services and further our commitment to improving access to key health services. We are proud to partner with the health care foundation on such a worthwhile endeavour."

"Strategic investments like these allow us to bring state-of-the-art treatment options to patients closer to where they live," said Minister Ottenheimer. "It demonstrates our commitment to give people better access to services that can lead to better patient outcomes."

The $1.55 million initiative ($1.15 million capital investment for equipment and $400,000 investment in one-time renovation costs) will be cost-shared with the Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation (BPHCF) which has committed $500,000 towards the purchase and installation of the new CT Scanner.

"The Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation is committed to raising $500,000 for this CT Scanner," said Cyril Dodge, chair of the foundation. "The lead sponsor is CAW Local 20 at the Cow Head Kiewit Offshore Facility, Marystown. This project was spearheaded by CAW members Henry Moores, Wayne Brake, President David Locke and supported by Kiewit Offshore Ltd. On behalf of the foundation board, I express congratulations and thanks to all CAW Local 20 members who are so generously donating $5 per week for the CT Scanner. Likewise, our MHA Clyde Jackman has been a strong supporter of this project and we thank him."

The new machine will be located in the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre and will become operational in 2006. The scanner will deliver an expected 1,800 exams annually.

"This is an exceptional day for all residents of the Burin Peninsula as this new equipment will service the entire peninsula. It reminds us of what we can achieve when we focus on our entire area as a unique location," said MHA Jackman. "It demonstrates that there are no limits to success when we work together for a common purpose."

"This is an excellent example of the great work that can be achieved when we work in partnership with our provincial government and our foundations," said Eastern Health President and CEO George Tilley. "I'm so proud of this announcement today and proud that as a new organization we are making great strides in improving health care services in the more rural areas of the Eastern Health region."

Premier Williams also announced that a community health needs assessment for the Burin Peninsula would be completed. The needs assessment will allow Eastern Health to gain a better appreciation for the health issues facing all the people in this region, which in turn will serve as a basis for making future decisions about health services in the region.

"Our government recognizes that rural areas such as the Burin Peninsula have unique challenges in accessing appropriate primary health care and other health services. We thank Eastern Health for their support in reviewing the health services of the Burin Peninsula to determine how best to meet the health needs of the region," added Premier Williams.

Today�s announcement enhances government�s recent Budget initiatives to reduce patient wait times across the province. Budget 2005 provided over $23 million to improve access to key services including MRI, CT, cardiac and other key diagnostic procedures, surgeries, as well as cancer treatments.

There are currently 10 CT Scanners in the province located in St. John�s (3), Carbonear, Clarenville, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, St. Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. With this new equipment, the province will have one machine per 47,000 residents.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500; elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.caCarolyn Chaplin, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093

2005 07 04                       9:45 a.m.