Health and Community Services
February 2, 2015

Enhancing Health Care Services

Provincial Government Receives Report Regarding Radiation Services

A consultant�s report regarding radiation services has been received by the Provincial Government and is now available online at //www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/NL_RT_Service_Plan_2015_01_08.pdf .

This report, prepared by Altus Planning Inc. was commissioned as part of a review of radiation services in the province. Altus was tasked with preparing a comprehensive plan for radiation therapy services at the new Western Memorial Hospital. The consultant has also completed a review of current and future demands for radiation therapy and identified and evaluated models of service delivery in other jurisdictions which have the potential to be implemented in this province.

�It is important that we review how we can best provide radiation services across the province today and into the future. Through the work of our consultant we now have a body of research and knowledge along with recommendations as to how we best position our health care system to enhance cancer services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. With this report in hand, we will now establish a committee to thoroughly review, analyze and consider the recommendations contained within the consultant�s report.�
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The report prepared by Altus outlines a number of recommendations intended to improve radiation services and meet the future needs of patients in this province. These include:

• The construction of two rooms to accommodate radiation equipment (known as bunkers) in the new West Coast hospital, and the installation of one Linac machine;
• The construction of two additional bunkers in St. John�s and the addition of one more Linac machine by 2026 - the second of the two new bunkers would be a �swing� space for use in ongoing unit replacements; and
• No further sites for radiation therapy be considered in the province prior to the new service in Corner Brook being fully established and functional.

�Armed with the report from Altus, we will now begin looking at future budgets and planning cycles to determine what is feasible and necessary to augment our current capabilities, and under what timelines. Through our committee, we will now determine next steps, which will ultimately lead to a better cancer care system for patients and their families across Newfoundland and Labrador.�
- Minister Kent

The committee which will include experts from the Regional Health Authorities and the Department of Health and Community Services will be tasked with completing an assessment of the report�s recommendations and developing an implementation plan.

QUICK FACTS

• The report commissioned as part of the Provincial Radiation Review has now been completed by Altus Planning Inc. and is available online at //www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/NL_RT_Service_Plan_2015_01_08.pdf.
• The scope of work included completion of a comprehensive plan for radiation therapy services at the new Western Memorial Hospital.
• This work also included a review of current and future demands for radiation therapy in the province and identified and evaluated models of service delivery in other jurisdictions which could be implemented.
• The next step in the process is to establish a committee to thoroughly review, analyze and consider the recommendations contained in the report.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca

2015 02 02                                                 5:10 p.m.