Health

Funding for new equipment, services in Health budget (10/01/26)

NB 109

Jan. 26, 2010

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The provincial government will provide funding for rural dialysis services, new physicians and nurse practitioners in 2010-11. It will also make new investments in hospital services and major equipment.

These are among the highlights of the 2010-11budget estimates for the Department of Health.

"The provincial government is making record investments to ensure New Brunswickers receive high-quality health-care services at the right place, at the right time," said Health Minister Mary Schryer. "The department's ordinary budget has increased to $2.46 billion, or $82.8 million more than the revised 2009-10 estimates."

Schryer said the investments in 2010-11 will support the government's commitments within the provincial health plan; deliver benefits to patients; and ensure the sustainability of health care.

Highlights include:

• 25 new physician billing numbers;
• five new nurse practitioner positions;
• an additional $1.5 million to continue improvements to cardiac surgery programs at the New Brunswick Heart Centre;
• $1.36 million in capital and operating funding to support a new satellite dialysis unit at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen. The unit, which will be operational in the spring of 2011, will provide access to dialysis services closer to home for Charlotte County-area residents;
• $200,000 in additional operating funding to support expanded dialysis service at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville;
• $3.4 million to fund the drug Avastin for eligible patients with metastatic colorectal cancer;
• $500,000 to support the establishment of a co-ordinated provincewide colorectal cancer screening program;
• $80,000 for nurse navigator position within Regional Health Authority A to support an integrated breast health centre; and,
• $2.5 million to support the provincial trauma system.

The 2010-11 budget includes funding for a request for proposals (RFP) to acquire diagnostic imaging equipment at four hospitals:

• a new MRI at the Moncton Hospital (replaces an existing unit);
• a new MRI at the Saint John Regional Hospital (replaces an existing unit);
• a new fixed MRI at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst (currently served by mobile unit); and
• a new fixed MRI at Edmundston Regional Hospital (currently served by mobile unit).

"Access to diagnostic equipment is vital to the timely diagnosis and treatment of provincial residents," said Schryer. "This multi-million-dollar announcement represents one of the largest one-time purchases of new diagnostic imaging equipment in the province's history, and this will help ensure timely access to care. By strategically proceeding with a single RFP, we can maximize the potential for cost-savings."

The department's capital budget includes strategic investments to improve hospital infrastructure:

• $1.5 million to provide improved accommodations to the intensive care / stepdown unit at the Chaleur Regional Hospital; and the start of planning for a major redevelopment and revitalization of this hospital;
• $20 million to continue a major expansion at the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Regional Hospital;
• $12.8 million to complete the new emergency department at the Saint John Regional Hospital;
• $7.5 million to continue work on the linear accelerators expansion at the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Regional Hospital;
• $2.4 million to complete installation of sprinkler systems at the Moncton Hospital;
• $2.6 million for clinical teaching renovations associated with the Dalhousie University medical education program, including at the Moncton Hospital, the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton and the Miramichi Regional Hospital (renovations at the Saint John Regional Hospital are underway);
• $3.5 million to improve laboratory medicine and medical imaging services at the Grand Falls General Hospital;
• $650,000 for a new therapeutic park at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation in Fredericton;
• $400,000 to complete the Rexton Community Health Centre, expected to be completed in June; and
• $10 million for major capital equipment and $4.4 million to upgrade various health facilities.

10/01/26

MEDIA CONTACT: Sonya Gilks, communications, Department of Health, 506-444-3506.

10/01/26