Over $7 Million Invested in Health Care for Central Labrador

August 18, 2015

Health Care Investments to Strengthen Communities

Through an investment of over $7 million, the Provincial Government continues to ensure the delivery of quality health care services for residents in Central Labrador.

“Residents of Labrador will benefit from our continuous support of expanded infrastructure and high-quality equipment in the provincial health care system. These investments will help to grow healthy communities for individuals and their families – a key component of our government’s Population Growth Strategy.”
– The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government will work with the Labrador Friendship Centre to redevelop the Paddon Home, the former long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. To facilitate this work, the Provincial Government will invest $1 million for upgrades and development of a business plan to explore possible uses of the facility that will benefit the community and surrounding region.

“We are happy to partner with the Provincial Government to explore opportunities for the restoration and use of the Paddon Home. The Paddon Home has always been recognized for its deep connection to the community as an inviting place where respective cultures can care for their elders in an environment where diversity and inclusion are celebrated.”

– Jennifer Hefler-Elson, Executive Director, Labrador Friendship Centre

Approximately $5.8 million, as previously announced in Budget 2015, will be provided for ongoing construction of the extension to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long-Term Care Home. Opened in 2010, the long-term care facility is connected to the Labrador Health Centre. With this extension, there will be an increase in capacity from 50 to 70 beds and staff in the areas of nursing, food, maintenance and environmental services.

“This extension of the long-term care facility will benefit not only the local community, but all communities of Labrador. It is a place where we can truly take care of our elders in a respectful manner. I am glad that our government places this as a high priority and we continue to make significant investments in the long-term care facility that will help the great staff there provide the high level of service to the people of Labrador.”
– The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs and MHA for Lake Melville

The Labrador Health Centre will receive about $150,000 to assist with new equipment. Labrador-Grenfell Health also plans to issue tender calls this fall for upgrades to the Labrador Health Centre’s emergency department and medical records area.

“Labrador-Grenfell Health welcomes these investments from the Provincial Government which greatly enhance health care infrastructure in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. Such partnerships are very important in fulfilling the commitment to continue providing quality health care services to residents served by the Labrador Health Centre and the Mani Ashini Community Clinic.”
– Tony Wakeham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Labrador Grenfell Health

The Mani Ashini Community Clinic, serving Sheshatshiu and North West River, will benefit from an investment of approximately $55,000 for new equipment.

A summary of the funding is available in the backgrounder below.

“The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay appreciates the value Labrador-Grenfell Health adds to the overall health, wellness and quality of life our residents enjoy. The completion of the long-term care home is vital within our community and we are pleased with the progression of the expansion as it will provide essential services and opportunities for our residents. We are confident that this investment in Labrador-Grenfell Health infrastructure and continued support from the Provincial Government will strengthen the quality and availability of health care services within our region, while establishing increased well-being for all residents.”
– Jamie Snook, Mayor, Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Budget 2015 includes a total of $133.7 million to ensure access to new and modern health care facilities and equipment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including $40 million for new health care equipment and $20 million for repair and renovation projects.

QUICK FACTS:

• Over $7 million will support the continued delivery of quality health care services for residents in central Labrador, including $1 million for upgrades and development of a business plan to explore possible uses of the Paddon Home.
• Approximately $5.8 million will be provided for ongoing construction of the extension to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long-Term Care Home.
• The Labrador Health Centre will receive about $150,000 to assist with new equipment and tender calls will be issued this fall for upgrades to the facility’s emergency room and medical records department.
• The Mani Ashini Community Clinic will benefit from an investment of approximately $55,000 for new equipment.
• Budget 2015 includes a total of $133.7 million to ensure access to new and modern health care facilities and equipment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including $40 million for new health care equipment and $20 million for repair and renovation projects

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-2837
tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca

Shannon Tobin
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Keith Russell
MHA for Lake Melville
709-899-3405
shannonjtobin@gov.nl.ca

Naomi Sharpe
Public Relations and Special Events Manager
Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
709-896-3254, 896-1609
publicrelations@happyvalley-goosebay.com

Jennifer Hefler-Elson
Executive Director
Labrador Friendship Centre
709-896-8302
Jhefler-elson@lfchvgb.ca

Allan Bock
Regional Director of Communications
Labrador-Grenfell Health
709-897-2351, 899-1568
allan.bock@lghealth.ca

BACKGROUNDER
2015 Health Care Investments for Central Labrador

Paddon Home
The Provincial Government will work with the Labrador Friendship Centre to redevelop the Paddon Home, the former long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. To facilitate this work, the Provincial Government will invest $1 million for upgrades and development of a business plan to explore possible uses of the facility that will benefit the community and surrounding region.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long-Term Care Home
Approximately $5.8 million will be provided for the continued construction of an extension to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Long-Term Care Home.

Labrador Health Centre
Approximately $150,000 will be provided to assist with new equipment. This includes:

• Equipment for urinalysis and incubator for the laboratory;
• Sterile drier for the reprocessing department;
• Medication carts for transporting medication;
• Vital signs monitors for the medical and surgical departments; and
• Dietary equipment.

Labrador-Grenfell Health also plans to issue tender calls this fall for upgrades to the Labrador Health Centre’s emergency department and medical records area.

Mani Ashini Community Clinic
Approximately $55,000 will assist with the purchase of a portable ultrasound machine.

NT5