Turning sod

LEWISPORTE -

A few months ago, it may have seemed unimaginable - Premier Danny Williams, flanked to his right by the provincial health minister, sharing laughter with over 50 residents of Lewisporte.

But so was the case on May 28, when Premier Williams and Minister of Health and Community Services Jerome Kennedy dropped by North Haven Manor to take part in the official sod-turning ceremony for the new $30-million Lewisporte Health Centre.

Once completed the site will include long-term care beds and a dementia bungalow - plus x-ray and lab services.

It was that component of the package that initially created a stir in the community, when the province announced last August x-ray and laboratory services would be moved to Grand Falls-Windsor.

The announcement outraged residents and led to protests denouncing government's plans.

Following the resignation of then-health minister Paul Oram in October, Minister Kennedy met with community leader, and eventually overturned the health department's previous pronouncement.

"We listened to the residents," said Premier Williams. "Minister Kennedy came here and met with the residents, the concerned citizens committee headed by Rev. (Arthur) Elliott, and it was well-championed by (Lewisporte) Mayor Brian Peckford here in the community.

"They expressed concerns that the services were going to be removed from the community for the wrong reasons, and we listened. Collectively as a cabinet and a government, we decided that this was the right thing to do."

The x-ray and lab services were kept by finding savings in the construction of the new health centre.

"It's a win-win for everybody. The mood here in the community is absolutely wonderful," said the Premier.

"We are trying to ensure we are using our money as efficiently and effectively as possible," said Minister Kennedy, when asked if government is continuing to look for health care savings.

"Over the next year, I hope to get into the regional health authorities and look at what programs are working, what unfunded positions are not being utilized, to determine if we can use our money more efficiently. The savings we hope to achieve within the system can then go to support other parts of (healthcare) that need money."

Dementia care

The introduction of a bungalow to deal exclusively with patients suffering from dementia - including 12 housing units - follows a similar initiative carried out in Corner Brook.

"We thought this particular form of dementia care has proven to be very successful ... I've seen firsthand the results it has had for residents," Premier Williams said.

The new Lewisporte Health Centre will include 51 long-term care beds, resident care services, and after-hours emergency services.

Mayor Peckford, who was amongst the speakers at the sod-turning ceremony, said when entering discussions with Minister Kennedy last fall, he immediately felt more optimistic about healthcare in his community.

"He made several commitments to us at the time," said the Mayor.

The Mayor also took a moment to recognize the contributions to retaining x-ray and lab services made by Rev. Elliott, who was a vocal opponent of government's initial plans.

"A pillar of our community - that's Rev. Arthur Elliott."

The comment drew much applause from those in attendance on what was a chilly and damp Friday afternoon.

"His effort and dedication has finally paid off."

Lewisporte district MHA Wade Verge was also on hand.

"When you look at the pictures out there today," he said, referring to sketches on display for the ceremony, "you can see what the facility will look like. It's something I've worked for ever since I got elected.

"There were some bumps along the way, and some struggles. Arguments and fights had to be had, but at the end of the day, we end up with a facility that I think is better than what we had originally planned."

Heather Brown, vice-president of rural health for the authority, said the inclusion of the dementia care bungalow will be for residents with mild to moderate dementia. It will be the first-such facility in the central region.

"It will provide an opportunity for people who cannot live unsupported in their homes any longer, but do not need the level of institutional care that will be provided in a nursing home. It's a transition, and it's an opportunity to have a home-like environment for people - to be as independent as possible."

Rosemarie Goodyear, acting CEO for Central Health, said it is unknown whether the new facilities will require extra hiring for the health authority.

Ms. Brown said construction is presently in phase one. A tender will be called this month for phase two construction of the new facility, which is anticipated to commence in August.

"Once that is completed, and our residents can move into their new home, what is the existing structure of North Haven Manor now will then be removed. We will then have the third phase, which will be the lab, x-ray, and support services."

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