Investments in health infrastructure continue to be made throughout the province as the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced over $1 million in funding for the Bay St. George Long Term Care Home, the Jeffrey's Medical Clinic and the Lourdes Medical Clinic on the island's west coast.

Minister Kennedy was joined by the Dr. Susan Gillam, Chief Executive Officer of Western Health; the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East; Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port; and the mayors of Stephenville Crossing, Jeffrey's and Lourdes.

"The main components of our healthcare system are our professionals, our facilities, and the care provided to the people of this province," said Minister Kennedy. "The funding announced today helps ensure that our core centres of health in these communities are maintained for those most directly impacted. The long-term care facility in Stephenville Crossing and the medical clinics in Jeffrey's and Lourdes are pieces of our frontline heath infrastructure, and it is essential that we maintain their upkeep to provide the best services to the people of these towns and region."

The Bay St. George Long Term Care Home will receive $450,000 in funding for repairs and renovations to complete the roof replacement, an extension to the facility to allow for additional storage space, and funding for major repairs and renovations to the 30 seniors' cottages which are operated through an agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. An additional $115,000 in funding will also be provided for support services and resident care equipment that will provide items such as new stove tops, ovens, floor scrubbers, tub lift chairs, wheelchair washers and electric bed lifts. The Bay St. George Long Term Care Home has 114 beds which includes 110 permanent placements and four short-stay beds that provide long-term residential accommodations for elderly persons with high level needs and persons with dementia.

The Jeffrey's Medical Clinic will receive $300,000 for repairs and renovations for the replacement of siding and windows, roof and parking lot repairs, and other minor work required to the facility.

The Lourdes Medical Clinic will receive $150,000 for repairs and renovations which will include siding, windows, roof repairs, interior finishes, washroom upgrades for wheelchair accessibility, secure access for staff, air conditioning and other minor work required at the facility.

"Providing the necessary funding for community healthcare services positively impacts our health system on many levels," said Dr. Gillam. "Regionally, Western Health is strengthened from the ground up through strategic investment, and locally these medical clinics and the long-term care centre are provided with the needed resources to increase their delivery of primary medical care in the communities they serve."

"I am very pleased to see that the Bay St. George Long Term Care Home and Jeffrey's Medical Clinic will receive this significant funding to help with support services, equipment, repairs and renovation work," said Minister Burke. "Patient care is a top priority and improving the facilities and buildings that house these health services will go a long way in increasing morale and enhancing the environments for providers, patients, and healthcare consumers alike."

"These investments in our health infrastructure are essential for this area, especially for the smaller communities who avail of these services," said Mr. Cornect. "The medical clinic in Lourdes plays a key role in that community's delivery of health services, and the Bay St. George Long Term Care Home benefits the whole region with its services for seniors and the opportunity for loved ones to be close to their families."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provided an investment of $208.9 million for health care infrastructure throughout the province, including investments in new construction, redevelopment of existing facilities, purchase of new medical equipment and repairs and maintenance. Funding of over $950,000 was also provided for a new urology outreach program at the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville, as well as two grants through the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grant program for $10,000 and $5,000 respectively for the Town of Kippens and the Sunshine Seniors 50+ Club in St. David's.

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