Harbour Grace to get adult addictions centre

Some $2 million was provided in last week's provincial budget for the planning and development of an adult residential addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace.

The new treatment centre will be designed to help meet the needs of individuals who require longer-term residential treatment or those that have more severe, persistent addiction issues.

The new centre will complement the Humberwood Treatment Centre in Corner Brook, which provides short-term treatment.

Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs told The Compass the new facility "will create jobs in the town and provide a worthwhile service."

Asked where the treatment centre will be located, Coombs said he has met with government officials and several sites around town have been looked at, but nothing has been finalized.

Health and Community Services Minister Jerome Kennedy says government will continue to ensure that those individuals who live with mental illness or addiction issues have treatment options available to them.

"We recognize that health care affects each and every individual in our province and we will ensure that our investments result in improving the health care system for all of us who use it," Minister Kennedy said.

"We are listening to the needs of people who require the programs and services the most, and our government is responding to those needs with strategic investments in Budget 2010," the MHA for Carbonear-Harbour Grace said.

He said the budget includes investments in health care to improve access to health care services by reducing wait times for services, including diagnostic procedures.

Some $797,700 will go towards providing an expansion of the coverage for the current insulin pump therapy program, to include adults from the ages 18 to 25. There are approximately 450 diabetics using insulin pump therapy throughout the province. Previously government provided funding for children up to the age of 18 years.

"This government is committed to continuing to invest in the health and well being of all our residents, especially our children and young adults," said Minister Kennedy. "This funding will help us build on the success of the current program and expand it to reach more residents who depend on insulin pump therapy."

New equipment

Budget 2010 will provide $52.2 million for new equipment throughout the province, including:

* $3.5 million for the replacement of CT scanners at the Carbonear General Hospital and the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre;

* $4.4 million for a new MRI machine at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital;

* Approximately $3 million for the purchase of new laboratory equipment around the province;

* $2.7 million for the provincial cardiac care program; and,

* $2.1 million for the purchase of new ultrasound machines around the province.

Approximately $31.6 million will be allocated for repairs and renovations of existing health care facilities throughout the province.

$3 million will be invested to finish the Corner Brook long-term care facility. Construction began in 2007 and work on the interior of the building is underway, with occupancy expected in June of this year. The new 236-bed facility will complement four protective community bungalows, which are already completed and occupied. Government's total investment in both the long-term care facility and protective community bungalows in Corner Brook is $68.5 million.

Government will invest $8 million to start construction of a new long-term care facility in Lewisporte, as well as $2.1 million to finalize the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Some $1.7 million will be spent for a new protective care community residence in Bonavista with specialized care and accommodations for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. The new building will accommodate 12 residents.

Approximately $115,000 will be invested in Budget 2010 to expand nurse practitioner services in Burin to provide care to residents living in long-term care facilities. The nurse practitioner will ensure timely access to medical care, continuity of care for residents and more efficient use of physician expertise and time.

$8.9 million in Budget 2010 will allow for an increase in the home support hourly subsidy rate by an additional 75 cents on July 1. The Provincial Home Support program provides support to seniors, adults and children who require assistance to remain independent and in their homes.

Through an investment of $3.2 million, the personal care home subsidy rate will increase and the number of portable subsidies will expand to respond to the current personal care home waitlist. Effective April 1 the personal care home subsidy rate increased by $73 to $1,717 from $1,644, and 100 new portable subsidies were introduced into the sector.

"These new initiatives continue to acknowledge the important role that home support workers and personal care homes play in our health and community services system," said Minister Kennedy. "We see these investments as an important step in enhancing the quality of life for residents living in personal care homes or receiving home support services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."