Almost $1 Million in New Equipment and Renovations Support Health Care in Twillingate

Through an investment of $910,000 in Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future, the Provincial Government is strengthening health care at the Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre in Twillingate. The investment will result in upgrades and the addition of new equipment that will benefit residents in the region.

“Continuously undertaking initiatives that support health care in rural and urban communities is a priority of our government,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We are investing nearly $1 million in families, in their futures and in the futures of their children, their towns and our province. As a government we place considerable emphasis on providing equipment and reliable infrastructure to continue the provision and delivery of health services to people in all regions of our province.”

The Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre will benefit from $75,000 in new equipment including an integrated ophthalmoscope system used in eye examinations and for a wander guard system. The wander guard system is used to help protect patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The system ensures that patients who are prone to wandering do not endanger themselves by leaving the facility and their supervised care.

“I am pleased that our government continues to recognize the importance of health care in rural communities” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame. “The residents of the Isles of Notre Dame will benefit from this investment and it further demonstrates our government’s commitment to health care in the region.”

Renovations and upgrades totaling $835,000 will be made to the health centre which includes an electrical and fire alarm system upgrade and replacement of the emergency exit signs. Changes to the out-patient department, health record and switchboard areas will provide greater functionality and improve patient convenience, privacy and confidentiality in the waiting area.

“We are pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to make strategic investments in health care in the Twillingate area,” said Rosemarie Goodyear, Interim President and CEO of Central Health. “The Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre provides important health services to the people of this area. The investment in equipment, renovations and upgrades announced for this facility today enhances the quality of the services we provide.”

Since 2004, over $6.2 million has been allocated for capital equipment, repairs and renovations to the Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre.

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2013 07 23             4:10 p.m.