Happy Valley-Goose Bay Benefiting from $3.2 Million in Health Care Investments

Executive Council
Health and Community Services
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
February 25, 2011

Further enhancements to infrastructure and investments in capital equipment continue to help strengthen health care services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as the Provincial Government announced approximately $3.2 million in health care funding.The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services; the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs and MHA for Lake Melville; Boyd Rowe, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health; and, Leo Abbass, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, at the Labrador Health Centre for the announcement.

“Providing quality health care for the people of our province is an important priority for our government, which is reflected in the steady increases in our overall investments for health care in this region,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Today’s announcement highlights several investments for infrastructure, upgrading and equipment, all of which support the delivery of services that meet the needs of area residents.”

Approximately $1.3 million is allocated for capital equipment for the Labrador Health Centre which has been used to purchase an anaesthetic system, coagulation analyzer backup, two anaesthetic gas monitors and a mobile X-ray unit which is installed and operational. Also identified for purchase from this funding is a digital fluoroscopy unit, three humidifier replacements, two stretchers and two IV pumps.

“Our government is focused on enhancing health care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Kennedy. “Each region of the province has specific challenges and advantages when it comes to providing health care services. As we look to the future we will continue to make investments in the health of our people, our communities and our province.”

In addition, $970,000 is provided for repairs and renovations to the Labrador Health Centre to upgrade the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, construct an isolation room, and repair window installations. This funding will also be used to renovate the housing units used by visiting health care professionals.

“Health builds on the wellness of communities, and in the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador, health was identified as a major area of importance for Labrador’s social and economic development,” said Minister Hickey. “Today’s announcement provides funds to support current infrastructure and enhance accessibility for residents of Labrador.”

Also included in this funding is $120,000 for the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long Term Care Home to purchase a seniors’ bus that is expected to be delivered in March.

“Maintaining our facilities and upgrading our capital equipment are essential in delivering quality care services,” said Mr. Rowe. “I thank the Provincial Government for their investment in health care services in this region, and I particularly highlight the funding for a new seniors’ bus, which will undoubtedly contribute to the quality of life of our residents in long-term care.”

The Premier and ministers were also pleased to announce that $840,000 will be invested in the Dr. Harry L. Paddon Home for roof repairs and the replacement of the sprinkler system. The future use of this building has yet to be determined. In the meantime, the required upgrading and repairs will be carried out so that the integrity of the building is maintained.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future allocated $208.9 million for health infrastructure projects throughout the province. This includes $177.3 million for new facilities and equipment and $31.6 million for repairs and renovations, including $2.1 million to complete the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long Term Care Home which opened in June 2010. Since 2003-04, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $7.6 million in capital equipment, repairs and renovations into health care facilities in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

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Media contacts:

Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
glendapower@gov.nl.ca

Milly Brown
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 631-8477
millybrown@gov.nl.ca

Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

Alison Dower
Regional Director of Communications
Labrador-Grenfell Health
709-454-0128, 454-1205
alison.dower@lghealth.ca

2011 02 25