NLIS 5
November 2, 2005
(Executive Council)
(Health and Community Services)
 

Enhancing health care services on the Burin Peninsula

In keeping with its commitment to provide quality health care and to enhance long-term care for all residents of the province, government today announced it will invest $11 million to construct a new primary health clinic in Grand Bank and redevelop the Blue Crest Inter Faith Home to improve health care services in the region. The announcement was made in Grand Bank today by Premier Danny Williams. Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer and Joan Dawe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Eastern Health, also participated in the event.

�I made a commitment that our government would seriously assess the health care requirements in this region, and today�s announcement acknowledges the need for improved facilities on the Burin Peninsula,� said Premier Williams. �In addition to several other significant infrastructure investments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, these enhanced health care services will serve to better meet the needs of the people in this province.�

Planning will begin immediately for the development of a new primary health clinic to replace the existing Grand Bank Clinic, which is over 50 years old. Approximately $6.7 million will be invested to construct the new facility (16,700 square feet) which will provide clinic and office space for up to five physicians, and will be designed to provide basic outpatient clinics, basic lab and x-ray services, and holding beds for short stays. The community health component will provide clinic and office accommodations for community health providers.

In addition, approximately $4.3 million will be invested to redevelop the Blue Crest Inter Faith Home in Grand Bank to better meet the high-level care needs of the current resident population. Redevelopment of the facility will include exterior and interior upgrades, including a new roof, windows and doors, modifications to residents washrooms, and installation of a domestic hot water system. A new sprinkler system will be installed, as well as enhancement and upgrades to the electrical, mechanical, ventilation and emergency power systems. The facility has 60 long term care beds.

�As the Minister of Health and Community Services, I am pleased that our government recognizes the importance of making strategic investments to better meet the health care needs of our residents,� said Minister Ottenheimer. �Today�s announcement builds on our existing health care infrastructure and furthers our Blueprint commitment to upgrade long term care facilities across the province.�

Eastern Health Board of Trustees Chair Joan Dawe said: �I am thrilled with this announcement, which will enable us to meet the primary health care needs and long-term care needs in this region. We will still offer the same level of excellent service to our patients, residents and clients but will be able to offer those services in a better environment.�

Today�s announcement furthers a July 2005 investment of $1.05 million toward a new CT Scanner to serve over 23,000 residents of the Burin Peninsula. Building on a commitment to upgrade long term care facilities across the province, government announced $4.1 million in Budget 2005 toward new long-term care homes in Clarenville and Corner Brook and $200,000 to begin planning for a new long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2005 11 02                    2:35 p.m.


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