Today, in Gander, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, to highlight Budget 2022 investments in health care that benefit the Central region of the island portion of the province. They were joined by Andrée Robichaud, President and CEO of the Central Regional Health Authority, and Dr. Jared Butler, Acting Director of Medical Services for the Central Regional Health Authority.
The expansion of the role of virtual care in the province is part of government’s ongoing work to provide support and options for patients. With an investment of $3 million, Budget 2022 builds upon this program through the continuation of two Virtual ER services in the Central Health region to assist with the provision of urgent care. This virtual option at two of Central Health’s referral centre sites will be staffed 24 hours a day. Virtual ER services also provide continuity for the delivery of essential health care, particularly in support of physician shortages and recruitment challenges.
Health Hubs in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor continue to be important points of care for residents in the region. Budget 2022 includes support of $1.8 million for the continuation of the Health Hubs in these areas.
Budget 2022 also allocates more than $14 million for the continued implementation of the measures government announced in fall 2021 to help improve access to primary health care in Newfoundland and Labrador, including a new Collaborative Team Clinic for the Central region.
Additionally, a second paramedicine team has also been implemented for seven days a week, with a second crew on standby, at the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre, and the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre. This continued investment helps improve call response times, increases paramedic presence in the ER during the busiest time of day and improves the health and safety of the people of the Central region.
Budget 2022 continues a course of action to reimagine the system to best deliver health services focused on improving health outcomes and addressing the factors that influence people’s health. More information can be found here.
Quotes
“We recognize the changing demographics of our province and, with that, the changing health care needs of residents. Thank you to all of the amazing health care professionals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for the work they do. Woven throughout Budget 2022 is a narrative of how we are reimagining the system and navigating a path forward for residents and continuing to work collaboratively to improve health care access throughout every region of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We know we have to take a different approach to the delivery of health care in our province. We need to focus on solutions such as the Collaborative Team Clinic approach, whereby people have a health home to serve their needs, as well as virtual care. We can’t tackle these challenges on our own, but need to continue to work with stakeholders in our efforts to find sustainable solutions that benefit us all.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
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Learn more
News Release: Initiatives Aim to Improve Primary Care Access in Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
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laurathomas@gov.nl.ca