NLIS 7
March 30, 2006
(Health and Community Services)
The Right Choices:
Improving Our Health
The Williams government is helping people
stay healthy through improved access to health care services, Health and
Community Services Minister Tom Osborne announced today. Budget 2006
unveils more than $180 million in new health care funding, bringing
government�s total investment to $1.96 billion � representing a 10 per
cent increase over last year.
"This new health care investment responds
to the current changes and increasing pressures in our health care
system � a rapidly-aging population, outdated health infrastructure, new
technology and drug treatments, and growing public expectations," said
Minister Osborne. "These initiatives aim to improve our health and
deliver better health care sooner."
Highlights of the targeted investments
include � $52 million for new health care infrastructure and renovations
and repairs to existing health care facilities; $15.6 million to
strengthen cancer prevention and treatments; a $4.8 million injection in
the Provincial Drug Program and $3.7 million to support healthy
lifestyles and better health outcomes.
Through Budget 2006, government is also
adding over $60 million to the province�s four health authorities� base
budgets to reflect increased operating costs and respond to program cost
and utilization pressures.
Preventing and Treating Cancer
In Newfoundland and Labrador, 2,200 new
cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year, some of which could be
avoided through early detection. In response to an unexpected increase
in demand for radiation treatment, aging equipment and the desire to
improve patient outcomes, Budget 2006 dedicates $15.6 million in new
funding to prevent and treat cancer. Highlights of the investment
include:
$3.3 million to begin
construction on two new bunkers to house two new radiation
machines at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Centre in St. John�s.
Further investment will follow in next year�s budget to purchase
the equipment, which is expected to be operational in late 2007.
The overall investment for this project is $10 million;
$1.5 million to strengthen
resources in preventing cancer and expand the Cervical Screening
Program into the Eastern and Labrador-Grenfell regions. Through
increased public education, the program will aim to increase
cervical screening rates by 25 per cent this year;
$750,000 for a new breast
screening centre in Grand Falls-Windsor and to expand the
existing breast screening centre in St. John�s along with
program enhancements for breast and other cancers;
$6.4 million to introduce three
new cancer treatment therapies for colorectal cancer and a new
treatment therapy for multiple myeloma;
A further $620,000 to add three
new drugs to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Drug
Program � Eprex, Aranesp and Tarceva. Eprex and Aranesp are used
to treat anemia associated with certain cancers, while Tarceva
is an oral agent used to treat lung cancer that has failed to
respond to standard first-line chemotherapy; and,
$3 million to add the drug
Herceptin to the Provincial Systemic Therapy Formulary to treat
selected patients with early stage breast cancer (Stages 1, 2
and 3).
"We are committed to improving cancer
services and the quality of life for people living with cancer in our
province. Through increased investments in prevention and working with
stakeholders on a new Provincial Cancer Control Strategy, we will help
educate the public on the importance of early detection with a goal of
reducing cancer rates over the long term," said Minister Osborne.
Improving Access to Health Care Services
Building on government�s continued
commitment to improving health care services in the province, Budget
2006 includes $11.3 million to increase the subsidized rate for personal
care homes, add new drugs to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription
Drug Program for persons suffering from Alzheimer�s Disease, reduce the
home support wait-list for new clients and respond to the growing need
for renal dialysis in the province.
Although there is currently no cure for
Alzheimer�s, some drugs have proven to be effective for select persons
suffering from this disease. Government will cover the costs of Aricept,
Reminyl and Exelon under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug
Program under special authorization.
Recognizing the important role that
personal care homes play in providing care and accommodations to our
province�s seniors, and the need to provide further support to seniors
who choose to live in personal care homes, government has allocated $6
million this year to increase the personal care home subsidy rate from
$1,138 per month up to $1,500 per month effective July 1, 2006 and
provide additional subsidies to address the current waitlist.
There are approximately 200 people
identified to receive first-time home support services in our province
in addition to those who currently have some form of home support.
Government will reduce the wait-list for home support for seniors and
persons with disabilities through a $2.7 million investment in Budget
2006. This investment will reduce the burden of care-giving in changing
family environments and provide assistance to seniors and persons with
disabilities to live independently.
An additional $1.5 million is provided in
Budget 2006 to respond to growing demands for dialysis services in the
province. Government is also proceeding with three new renal dialysis
units in Burin, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony. The units are
expected to be operational within 18-24 months.
Budget 2006 also provides $350,000 in new
funding to enable our people, for the very first time, to benefit from
in vitro fertilization procedures without having to leave the province.
Investing in Children and Youth
Government will invest more than $5.4
million in Budget 2006 to address program priorities to support children
and youth in the province. Highlights of the investments include:
$4.1 million to improve the
effectiveness of the children�s dental health program to ensure
that children are able to take full advantage of the program;
$651,900 to increase the rate paid
to caregivers of children in care by 15 per cent over the next three
years, beginning with a five per cent increase this year. Alternate
family care providers, who care for persons with
developmental disabilities, will also receive an increase of 15
per cent over the next three years at a cost of $227,000. The
rate supports room and board, supervision, personal care and
social supports and increased funding for children living with
relatives and for the youth services program;
$350,000 to provide coverage of
pediatric enteral nutrition (medically-approved nutritional
supplements) for children with severe bowel diseases, such as
Crohn�s and Colitis. This investment will eliminate the
financial burden on families and allow for the provision of
medically-necessary treatment to children outside the hospital
environment;
In light of the high rate of
suicides in Aboriginal communities, government will cost-share a
two-year $240,000 suicide prevention initiative with Health
Canada. Budget 2006 includes $60,000 to support research for
suicide prevention intervention programs, and to develop
training programs for mental health and other community workers;
and
Develop models for the
integration of mental health services related to adolescent and
young adult suicides, and develop a protocol for crisis
intervention in Aboriginal communities experiencing a high rate
of suicides.
Go Healthy
Government is serious about educating all
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians on the benefits of an active and
healthy lifestyle. To that end, Budget 2006 targets $5.2 million to
encourage physical activity and promote healthier lifestyles. This
includes:
A further $1.3 million will be
directed to support implementation of the provincial wellness
plan - Go Healthy. This investment builds on last year�s
record $2.4 million investment in wellness. The plan�s first
phase will be implemented over the next three years and will
focus on some key areas including healthy eating, physical
activity, tobacco control, and injury prevention;
$1 million to extend the physical
education equipment program to students in the intermediate
grades. The program was introduced last year for the province�s
high school students and funding this year will be used to
purchase equipment for students in grades 7-9. The new physical
education curriculum promotes life-long, healthy living, from
kindergarten to senior high. It is about helping students foster
positive attitudes about the importance of being active and
physically fit for life;
$500,000 to the Kids Eat Smart
Foundation, an organization that works with schools and
community groups to establish nutritious breakfast, lunch and
snack programs in schools. This will effectively double the
existing grant to the organization; and,
Effective April 1, a one cent
increase per cigarette, and five cent increase per gram on loose
tobacco will be implemented in keeping with government�s
commitment to smoking cessation and eliminating youth smoking.
Fighting Addictions and Improving Mental
Health
Government has invested $2 million in the
last two years towards mental health initiatives, demonstrating its
commitment to providing mental health consumers with the resources they
need to continue to access services which enable them to live healthy
and fulfilling lives.
Budget 2006 builds on the priorities of
the new policy framework � Working Together for Mental Health �
released last fall, by committing a further $1 million to enhance
primary mental health services in the province.
To strengthen resources to assist persons
struggling with gambling and other addictions, Budget 2006 also includes
$1 million in new funding to add nine new addictions counsellors in the
province for primary prevention and treatment, and to respond to needs
identified in the Gambling Prevalence Study released last fall. An
additional $1.1 million will be spent this year to construct a new
provincial addictions treatment centre in Corner Brook as part of a $3
million project. The new centre will provide enhanced treatment for
persons with addictions, including non-medical detox services which will
allow for seamless transfer from detox to treatment.
Strengthening Public Health
Government recently announced $4.6
million in Budget 2006 to strengthen the province�s public health
system; enhance animal health service delivery; and expand the capacity
of the Emergency Measures Organization. The investment includes:
$800,000 to add to the antiviral
stockpile that will allow us to respond to a pandemic;
$365,000 to hire regional health
emergency professionals for each region;
$1.5 million to hire 39 public
health nursing positions over the next two years;
$344,800 to create new public
health positions within the Department of Health and Community
Services;
$1.3 million to enhance animal
health services; and,
$290,000 to enhance the Emergency
Measures Organization.
Media contact: Tansy Mundon,
Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741
2006 03 30 2:20 p.m. |