Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services was in the district on Tuesday making some major funding announcements for Health Care in Springdale, Baie Verte and La Scie.
Sullivan was joined by MHA Kevin Pollard, representatives from Central Health, and community leaders to make the announcements at the Valley Vista Senior’s Home in Springdale and the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre in Baie Verte.
The total investments into the district come to over $1 million dollars, with money going to Green Bay Health Centre, Valley Vista Senior’s Home, Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre and the La Scie Clinic.
In Springdale, Sullivan met at the Valley Vista Senior’s Home to make the announcements of funding, which amassed to $705,500 for capital equipment purchases and infrastructure upgrades at the Green Bay Health Centre and the Valley Vista Senior Citizens’ Complex.
“Our government places high priority on delivering quality health care to all residents of our province,” said Minister Sullivan. “Through strategic investments in needed equipment and necessary upgrades to infrastructure we are ensuring residents continue to receive vital services. The investments that have been made in Springdale are significant and will improve care and services for the people of this community and the region.”
The Valley Vista Senior Citizens’ Complex will receive $637,500 for the installation of a communications/nurse call system and the purchase of medical equipment including new electronic patient beds and an EKG machine. Funding totaling $68,000 has been allocated to the Green Bay Health Centre for the purchase of medical equipment including an exam table and double infusion pump.
“I am very pleased that the Provincial Government continues to support health care by making strategic investments in upgrades, maintenance, and new initiatives,” said MHA Pollard. “With these investments, residents will experience and see a continual enhancement in infrastructure and services.”
Since 2003, the Provincial Government has allocated approximately $3.9 million for the Green Bay Health Centre and Valley Vista Citizen’s Home for infrastructure upgrades and equipment, including the purchase of an ambulance, upgrades to diagnostic imaging equipment, an emergency room refit and a new sprinkler system.
“These investments in medical equipment and infrastructure for the Springdale area support our goal to provide quality programs and services to the citizens of central region,” said Karen McGrath, CEO of Central Health. “We are pleased to partner with government to enhance the provision of health care for the people of Springdale and area.”
After Tuesday’s funding announcement, Minister Sullivan also visited the building site of a new community health centre in Springdale, which will replace the Green Bay Health Centre. The Provincial Government has allocated $600,000 to begin planning for the new facility. To date the site selection has been completed and the land has been purchased.
Following announcements in Springdale, Sullivan then travelled to Baie Verte where she made another round of funding commitments to Health Care on the Baie Verte Peninsula.
Government is putting a total of $578,500 into the Peninsula’s Health Care, with investments in the Hospital in Baie Verte and the clinic in La Scie.
“This announcement demonstrates our government’s continued commitment to investing in health care services in rural Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Sullivan. “By investing in infrastructure upgrades and capital equipment we strengthen our overall health care system and ensure that everyone has access to vital medical services as close to home as possible.”
A total investment of $341,100 has been allocated for infrastructure upgrades at the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre. The facility will receive $171,100 for a new communication and security system and $170,000 to upgrade the delivery of medical gas, including oxygen.
“I am pleased to see the health care investments our government has allocated for enhancements to facilities in the Baie Verte region,” said MHA Pollard. “This funding will help purchase important equipment and make vital safety upgrades for patients and staff in Baie Verte and La Scie.”
New medical equipment will be purchased for the facilities through an investment of $162,400. The Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre will receive $142,400 for equipment including an ultra centrifuge machine, vital sign monitors and new hospital beds. The La Scie clinic will receive $20,000 for a new EKG machine.
“These investments in medical equipment and infrastructure for the Springdale area support our goal to provide quality programs and services to the citizens of central region,” said McGrath. “We are pleased to partner with government to enhance the provision of health care for the people of Springdale and area.”
Minister Sullivan also announced that $75,000 will be invested for the continued development of a Therapeutic Wander Garden on the grounds of the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre. This investment will fund the construction of a covered porch, additional walkways, development of a pond and landscaping. The garden will be a safe outdoor environment which will reduce the negative behavioural aspects associated with wandering for residents living with varying forms of dementia. The Provincial Government has provided a total of $270,000 since 2010 to develop this garden. Since 2003-04, the Provincial Government has invested over $4.4 million in health care facilities in the Baie Verte area for capital equipment, repairs and renovations.
