Sod-Turning for Neils Harbour Community Health Centre

Premier Russell MacLellan joined the residents of Neils Harbour today for a sod-turning ceremony at the site for the new community health centre next to the Buchanan Memorial Hospital.

"The new facility will be reminiscent of Buchanan Memorial Hospital," said Premier MacLellan. "It will also be a more modern facility built to meet the special requirements identified during the early planning stages."

The new 10-bed health centre will replace the existing Buchanan Memorial Hospital. The centre will provide ambulatory clinics, 24-hour emergency service, diagnostic services, and other support service departments. A broad range of community health services including mental health, public health, addiction services and home care will also be offered.

Residents offered input into the centre's primary care service plan through the Regional and Community Health Board.

The total cost of the centre, including design, planning, project management, construction and equipment, will be about $5 million. The province is providing 75 per cent of the funding with the remaining 25 per cent to be covered by the community.

"The Eastern Regional Health Board and the community have worked hard to ensure the new health centre will be equipped with the right services to respond to the residents' health care needs," said Health Minister Jim Smith.

The centre is scheduled to open in a year. Plans for the new facility were announced in November 1996.