Health and Community Services
March 12, 2015

Investing in a Strong Health Care System

Residents in St. Anthony Region Benefit from over $2 Million in Health Care Funding

The Provincial Government is providing over $2 million for the purchase of new equipment at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital and the John M. Gray Centre for Seniors.

"Our provincial health care employees provide essential services to all residents of this province. Providing $2 million for new equipment is an investment in our health care system and in patient care. It is proof positive that our government is living up to its commitment to ensure quality health care for residents and families."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

This funding builds upon a $4.6 million contract to complete enhancements to Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital announced in July of last year. Funding of approximately $2 million will be used to purchase equipment for the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital, including:

• 13 replacement beds and mattresses;
• A defibrillator monitor;
• A cardiac event recorder;
• A digital fluoroscopy room used in diagnostic imaging;
• A urinalysis analyzer;
• A fetal monitor; and
• Replacement furniture for waiting areas.

In addition, $5,000 will be used to purchase a wheelchair scale for the 47-bed long-term care facility, the John M. Gray Centre for Seniors.

"Labrador-Grenfell Health welcomes an investment from the Provincial Government to purchase equipment for the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital and the John M. Gray Centre. The equipment enables our staff to continue providing quality health care services with modern equipment that makes the best use of the latest advances in technology."
- Tony Wakeham, President and CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested nearly $1.5 billion in health care infrastructure. Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes a total investment of over $189 million in infrastructure, which allocates $119 million for continuing construction and redevelopment, $50.5 million for new equipment and $20 million for repairs and renovations.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is providing over $2 million for new equipment at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital and the John M. Gray Health Centre for Seniors in St. Anthony.
• An investment of approximately $2 million will purchase equipment for the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital, including: 13 replacement beds, a defibrillator monitor, a cardiac event recorder, a digital fluoroscopy room, a urinalysis analyzer, a fetal monitor and furniture for waiting areas.
• In addition, $5,000 will be used to purchase a wheelchair scale at the John M. Gray Centre for Seniors, a long-term care facility.
• This funding builds upon a $4.6 million contract to complete upgrades to the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital announced in July 2014.
• Budget 2014 provides $50.5 million for new equipment and $20 million for repairs and renovations to health care facilities throughout the province.

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock Regional Director of Communications Labrador-Grenfell Health 709-897-2351 allan.bock@lghealth.ca

2015 03 12                              3:25 p.m.