NB 466
April 21, 2006
SAINT JOHN (CNB) - A third cardiac-catheterization laboratory at the New Brunswick Heart Centre in Saint John was officially opened today.
Health Minister Brad Green; William Teed, chairman of the board of directors of the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation (AHSC); and C.E. (Kit) Payn, chair of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, took part in the opening.
"This third interventional-cardiology lab will allow us to meet increased demand at the New Brunswick Heart Centre, and will reduce the wait time for catheterization procedures used to diagnose and/or treat cardiac problems," Green said. "This new lab also has electrophysiology equipment, which will allow us to offer procedures not previously available within New Brunswick, including the implanting of defibrillator pacemakers, which will also reduce wait times, as demand for these services is growing in all jurisdictions."
Previously, New Brunswickers had to travel outside the province - usually to Quebec or Nova Scotia - for electrophysiology services. Electrophysiology uses cardiac catheterization to identify and treat heart-rhythm problems.
"The construction of the third cardiac-catheterization lab represents a major commitment by the Government of New Brunswick to improving health care service for all citizens," Teed said. "Reduced wait times are a major priority, not only for this government, but for AHSC. We congratulate the government for committing capital and operational funding to this project, as it clearly demonstrates a commitment to implementing the recommendations of the External Review of New Brunswick Cardiac Services report."
The province invested $1.95 million in the third cardiac-catheterization laboratory, and $500,000 in electrophysiology equipment, for a total capital-equipment investment of $2.45 million. Another $1 million was invested in related renovations. As well, the province is investing $3.1 million annually for operational expenses related to the new laboratory.
In addition to the $3.45 million the province invested in equipment and renovations, another $250,000 was provided for the project from the $1-million McCain NB Heart Centre Fund. The funding was used to purchase supplementary equipment for the new lab.
"McCain has its roots in New Brunswick, and it is important to us to do what we can to help ensure that leading-edge medical services are available right here at home," said Allison McCain, chairman of McCain Foods Ltd., in a prepared statement. "Saint John clearly has that level of cardiac-care capability."
"Corporate generosity such as this support from McCain Foods Ltd. really helps make good projects even better," Payn said.
Green said that the investment in a third cardiac-catheterization laboratory at the New Brunswick Heart Centre fulfils one of the commitments made in the Provincial Health Plan, Healthy Futures.
The third lab was also recommended in the External Review of New Brunswick Cardiac Services report, which was commissioned by the Department of Health and contained recommendations designed to ensure timely access to quality cardiac care.
Green said it is anticipated that the multidisciplinary laboratory will be used 50 per cent of the time for cardiac-catheterization procedures, and 50 per cent of the time to provide electrophysiologic services.
The New Brunswick Heart Centre is a provincial resource that serves all New Brunswickers in both official languages. It is located in the Saint John Regional Hospital.
06/04/21
MEDIA CONTACTS: Johanne LeBlanc, communications, Department of Health, 506-457-3513; Patricia Crowdis, director of communications, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, 506-648-6116.
06/04/21