GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA, N.L. – The provincial government is providing $2.3 million of funding for health care facilities in St. Anthony and Roddickton-Bide Arm.
Health and Community Services Minister John Haggie announced the funding today, May 25 at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital rotunda in St. Anthony.
Also present for the announcement were St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows MHA Christopher Mitchelmore and Labrador-Grenfell Health (LGH) board chair Boyd Noel.
“Over the course of the last three years, during a time when we’ve really scraped for every dollar, my department has been able to put north of $4.5 million of health-care investment into St. Anthony and the surrounding communities, through various projects,” said Haggie. “And so, to build on that, I’m here to tell you about this year’s pot of $2.3 million for this area and its surrounding health-care infrastructure.”
Of the $2.3 million total, $1.9 million will go towards Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony.
“It is still the infrastructure hub for health care for this part of the world,” said Haggie.
These funds will go towards the development of a new primary health care and family practice area, as well as for a roof replacement at the “old hospital” section of the facility.
Just shy of $290,000 has also been allotted for new equipment in the building, including patient lifts and blood lab collection equipment, amongst other items.
Another $50,000 will be provided for upgrades to Labrador-Grenfell Health staff accommodations at the White Bay Health Centre in Roddickton-Bide Arm.
“I’m pleased today to announce these commitments and these financial investments in this area, that fit in well with the health department’s direction and LGH’s needs, it fits in with our government policy,” said Minister Haggie. “And my focus is always for better outcomes for the people of this province and wherever they live. And I do believe this $2.3 million, building on the $4.5 million that’s already coming here over the two previous fiscal years, will do just that.”
Haggie also plans to visit health care facilities in Roddickton-Bide Arm and Flower’s Cove today.
