Health and Community Services
August 12, 2013
An investment of more than $2.7 million was announced today for health care facilities serving Corner Brook and the surrounding region. Funding provided will benefit users of the Western Memorial Regional Hospital, Corner Brook Long Term Care Facility, Humberwood Treatment Centre and the Hammond Building.
“Health care services provided in Corner Brook fulfill a vital role for this city and the western region of Newfoundland,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “That is why we are investing more than $2.7 million this year for equipment and facility upgrades, and we have committed over a half-billion dollars to build a new hospital for this region. Ensuring that we make strategic investments in health care that benefit all residents is paramount to our government.”
The Western Memorial Regional Hospital will benefit from over $2.4 million which will purchase more than 130 pieces of new equipment ranging from laboratory tools, defibrillators and stretchers to food preparation and dental equipment. In addition, facility upgrades will also be carried out including improvements to the intensive care unit to better accommodate patients requiring dialysis.
“Our government continues to deliver on its commitment to provide high quality, accessible health care services to residents throughout our province,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for Humber East. “These investments in the regional hospital, long-term care building and other health facilities will help improve services at these locations for the people of Corner Brook and the surrounding areas.”
The Corner Brook Long Term Care Home and the Humberwood Treatment Centre will benefit from over $15,000 to enhance building access and security. In addition, $45,000 is being provided to the long-term care facility for a new high-performance food storage refrigeration unit.
“I am pleased with the continued health care investments in the province including in Western Health,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “The investment of $2.7 million announced today, will improve health conditions for residents in our province. Any investment in health care is an investment in our people and the short and long-term value of such investments cannot be underestimated.”
The Hammond Building, which provides community support services to seniors and people with disabilities in Corner Brook, will receive $200,000 in upgrades to the building to replace windows and doors and for general interior and exterior renovations.
“This investment will help Western Health continue to purchase the equipment necessary to provide quality services for the benefit of the people in our region,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO of Western Health. “We appreciate the support of the Provincial Government for the enhancements in Corner Brook.”
Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested over $1.2 billion in health care capital equipment and infrastructure repairs and renovations, including more than $62 million for repairs, renovations and new equipment for health care facilities in Corner Brook.
Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Lary Wells Executive Assistant to the Honourable Tom Marshall MHA for Humber East 709-729-3811, 709-632-9634 larrywells@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 TessBurke@gov.nl.ca |
Heidi Staeben-Simmons Director of Communications Western Health 709-637-5252 heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca |
2013 08 1 2:10 p.m.