Government of Newfoundland News

Throughout Nurse Practitioner Week (November 13-19), the Provincial Government is acknowledging the high quality of health care that nurse practitioners provide, and thank them for the vital role they play in the health care system.

During Nurse Practitioner Week, the Provincial Government is taking steps to increase the number of nurse practitioners within the health care system. This aligns with government’s commitment to enable more nurse practitioners to provide care in communities throughout province, and also to introduce a number of nurse practitioner-led clinics under the regional health authorities.

The regional health authorities will immediately begin recruitment efforts to increase the number of nurse practitioners, especially in rural areas, with an aim of employing them at collaborative community team clinics that will be added throughout the province. Currently, the majority of nurse practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador are employed in emergency departments and other specialty program areas, such as urology, cardiology, nephrology, long-term care and mental health and addictions, or with the 811 HealthLine.

As part of the primary health care transformation that was outlined in Health Accord NL, the regional health authorities have started implementation of collaborative community teams. These are multi-disciplinary teams that include family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and other allied health professionals. There are currently seven collaborative community teams in various stages of implementation, with a goal of having 35 implemented over the next five years.

It is envisioned that nurse practitioner-led clinics will be a part of these teams. The goal is to expand the number of teams every year until every resident of the province is attached to a community team to meet their health and social needs. In some cases, these clinics will be led specifically by nurse practitioners, as government seeks to increase access to primary care.

It is anticipated that the addition of more nurse practitioners into the primary care field will also help alleviate pressure on the province’s emergency departments.

Quotes
“We continue our efforts to provide primary care access to residents of the province, recognizing the human resource challenges that our province, like so many others, is currently facing. Increasing the number of nurse practitioners within the health care system is another strategy we are using to address challenges in accessing primary care, particularly in some of our more rural and remote areas.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The improvements nurse practitioners could make in the delivery of primary care and across the health care system are significant.  This is a step to better utilize this critical health care provider. We’ll continue to work with the Provincial Government on efforts to support and more fully utilize nurse practitioners to improve patient care.”
Yvette Coffey
President, Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Tina Coffey
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

 

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The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the 18th Annual Premier’s Athletic Awards tomorrow (Monday, November 14). The Premier will be joined by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

The event will take place at the Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Road, St. John’s at 4:30 p.m. The event will also be livestreamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Facebook page.

The Premier’s Athletic Awards recognize athletic excellence in Newfoundland and Labrador and provide financial support to help athletes with the costs of training and competition.

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Gina MacArthur
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-5889, 327-9574
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca

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The scheduled closure of the resource road near the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, known locally as Sandy Road, for bridge repairs has been postponed. This closure was originally scheduled for Monday, November 14 to Wednesday, November 16.

For further information, please contact the Bishop’s Falls Forest Management District Office at: 709-258-5334.

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

 

 

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A resource road near the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, known locally as Sand Road, will be closed to all vehicle traffic from Monday, November 14 to Wednesday, November 16 to allow for bridge repair work.

Repairs will consist of the removal and installation of new abutments to Tom Joe Bridge located at the 22 km mark on Sand Road.

For further information, please contact the Bishop’s Falls Forest Management District Office at: 709-258-5334.

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at “The 18,” a special Come Home 2022 concert taking place tomorrow (Friday, November 11).

The event starts at 2:00 p.m. at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, 200 Military Road, St. John’s.

The concert will portray the remarkable story of the children at London’s Beatrix Potter School, who discovered and began the tradition of paying tribute to the graves of 18 Newfoundland First World War soldiers.

The event is free for all ages. Event organizers will be accepting donations at the door for the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign, which supports veterans and their families.

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca

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As announced on October 5, the Provincial Government will issue a one-time cost of living relief cheque of up to $500 to residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years old as of December 31, 2022 and who filed a 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less.

Please ensure your 2021 income tax return is filed by December 31, 2022. For those with a modest income and a simple tax situation, Canada Revenue Agency’s free tax clinics can help individuals file their taxes before the deadline. Visit Canada.ca/taxes-help or call 1-855-516-4405 for more information.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will issue cheques beginning mid-November 2022. Cheques will be processed over a period of at least six weeks, with the processing order based upon individual incomes (lowest to highest).

Cheques will be mailed to eligible residents based on their address on file with the Canada Revenue Agency as of June 2022. Please contact the Tax Administration Division at 1-877-729-6376 or email taxadmin@gov.nl.ca should you require an address change or have any questions about this program.

Please note: Information from the 2021 tax return will be used for the purpose of administering the cost of living relief cheques as authorized under section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 2000. All information will be used and kept confidential in compliance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015.

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Media contact
Victoria Barbour
Finance
709-729-4087, 327-6152
victoriabarbour@gov.nl.ca

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The Provincial Government is monitoring forecast information on the weather system currently classified as Tropical Storm Nicole, which is anticipated to track near or over much of the province from Saturday (November 12) into Sunday (November 13).

The system will impact much of Newfoundland and Labrador, with the weather varying depending on the region. The system is anticipated to include high winds, rain, snow, freezing rain and ice pellets. It is also forecasted that large waves and storm surge are possible along coastlines.

We encourage residents to monitor the forecast for the most up-to-date information. Regional forecast information is available from Environment Canada.

Municipalities and local service districts are advised to review their emergency management plans and ensure infrastructure such as roads, ditches and drains are clear of debris, and appropriate provisions are made for the delivery of services during the duration of the weather event. Preparations to protect vulnerable coastal locations should begin as soon as possible given the potential of damage to infrastructure.

Residents are asked to use caution and to take steps to ensure their own personal safety. Residents should always have a basic emergency kit available and be prepared for at least 72 hours, with food, water, batteries, a portable radio and prescription medications.

Drivers should consider the forecast before travelling this weekend. Plan ahead and check the provincial road conditions using the NL 511 app or visit nl511.ca. Remember to drive according to the conditions in your area. Plan in advance to have your vehicles fueled and to have cash on hand. Drivers should also consider packing an emergency kit for their vehicle.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador encourages everyone to be prepared for adverse weather conditions during hurricane season. Visit Be Prepared for more information on emergency preparedness.

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Media contacts
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will attend the Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day ceremony tomorrow (Friday, November 11). The ceremony is being held at the National War Memorial in St. John’s starting at 10:55 a.m.

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca

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A contract valued at approximately $7.8 million has been awarded to Complete Concrete Solutions Ltd. to replace Romaine’s River Bridge on the Port au Port Highway, Route 460, in Western Newfoundland.

The scope of work will include the construction of a new concrete girder, two-span bridge with a concrete deck on the south side of the current bridge. The project also includes the realignment of the highway and the removal of the existing 8.8-metre wide bridge.

The more than 12-metre wide bridge will also be capable of withstanding increased water flows during major weather events, including resistance to ice damming.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates construction of the bridge, which was funded through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, being completed in 2024.

Information on tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl. Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.

Quote
“This highway construction season has been a great success, with more than 40 bridge rehabilitations and six bridge replacements that are currently under construction on provincial highways. Replacing Romaine’s River Bridge will help keep communities on the Port au Port Peninsula connected. We look forward to replacing more bridges next year.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

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Learn more
Provincial Roads Plan Outlines Highway Construction Projects for Two Construction Seasons

Tender Issued to Replace Romaine’s River Bridge on Port au Port Highway

Contract Awarded for Bridge Replacement on Trans-Canada Highway Near Grand Falls-Windsor

Media contact
Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca

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A number of frontline health care workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP) are set to benefit from several short-term financial incentives, as the Provincial Government continues its efforts to target areas of the health care workforce that are experiencing significant challenges. In collaboration with the leadership of CUPE and AAHP, these measures are designed to help address the recruitment and retention issues facing health care professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, along with Sherry Hillier, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Gordon Piercey, President of the Association of Allied Health Professionals, will be available to the media today (Thursday, November 10) at 11:00 a.m. to discuss these measures. The availability will take place in the East Block lobby, Confederation Building, and will be livestreamed on Facebook.

The initiatives developed to address the immediate CUPE and AAHP workforce challenges are:

• Retention Bonuses: A retention bonus is available to identified CUPE and AAHP members, targeted to areas where there is an identified retention and recruitment challenge, for a return-in-service commitment;
• Reimbursement of Licensing Fees for Applicable Retired Health Care Providers: Licensing fees will be paid for those who wish to return to work; and
• Double Rate Overtime: This measure is available to identified CUPE and AAHP members, targeted to areas where there is an identified retention and recruitment challenge, and is available until January 31, 2023. It will reduce delays in filling schedules and also should reduce the number of mandated and extended shifts.

The Regional Health Authorities will be reaching out to eligible employees in the next week with further details.

Recruitment and retention continues to be a challenge across all health care professions locally, nationally and internationally. As a result, the Provincial Government continues to work with health care professionals, and has implemented a number of creative measures to help curb the workforce challenges and encourage recruitment. More information on these measures is available here.

This recruitment and retention package follows other recent initiatives announced in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“I want to thank Ms. Hillier and Mr. Piercey for working with us to develop strategies that address a number of challenges faced by their members. While we recognize that recruitment and retention issues dominate health care systems around the globe, we are dedicated to finding creative answers to the situation here in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is our intention that today’s announcement will have meaningful results for CUPE and AAHP health care members.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“CUPE has worked with the Provincial Government to facilitate the implementation of immediate measures for the retention and recruitment of health care workers. There is still much to do to improve the working conditions for all health care workers, including those not touched by today’s announcement. CUPE has developed additional proposals the government can adopt to attract and keep workers in the public health system. We look forward to continuing to work with government next month, as we begin collective agreement negotiations for health care and other provincial workers.”
Sherry Hillier
President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees

“On behalf of our Allied Health Professionals, I would like to thank the Premier, Minister Osborne and employees of the Department of Health and Community Services for their commitment and partnership with us over the past several months towards these incentives. We all know that there are pervasive shortages across most health care professionals, here and across the country. This critical challenge is not going away anytime soon unless we take action now with holistic and creative strategies to both keep the health care professionals already in our system and to compete and attract new health professionals from outside the province. We look forward to our continued partnership with government to make sure we get there – all of us need to know there is accessible, quality health care available for ourselves, our families and our communities.”
Gordon Piercey
President of the Association of Allied Health Professionals

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Media contacts
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 727-0341
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca

Colleen Reynolds
CUPE Atlantic Communications
902-809-2253
creynolds@cupe.ca

Administrative Officer
Association of Allied Health Professionals
709-722-3353, 631-4862
info@aahp.ca

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at the 48th annual Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas Craft Fair tomorrow (Thursday, November 10).

The event will take place at Jack Byrne Arena, 7 Kennedys Brook Drive, Torbay, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair is the largest and longest juried craft fair in the province, and has been celebrating makers and traditions since 1973.

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca

 

 

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As the fall sitting of the House of Assembly concludes, the Furey Government is noting important progress on priority issues for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Guided by the Speech from the Throne, legislation was highlighted by the continued focus on the reimagining of the provincial health care system, including the recruitment and retention of health care professionals; helping ease some of the pressures that families are facing due to global increases to the cost-of-living; supporting fair and equitable pay practices; and continuing to practice responsible fiscal management.

Important legislation advanced in this sitting will support:

Health Care

• Making it easier for out-of-province doctors to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Reducing and eliminating barriers to qualification recognition for international and Canadian-educated professionals to support recruitment and retention.
• Integrating four health authorities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information into one entity, as well as creating Regional Health Councils that will be responsible for advising on the regional health care needs of the province.

Cost of Living

• Providing a one-time cheque of up to $500 to residents of the province who have reached the age of 18 years old as of December 31, 2022 and who filed a 2021 tax return with an adjusted income of $125,000 or less.
• Extending the 8.05 cents per litre (including HST) tax reduction on gasoline and diesel until March 31, 2023.

Improving Fiscal Situation and Transforming Government

• Allowing government to improve the long-term financial position of the province, pay down expensive debt and lower the cost of borrowing.
• Facilitating the ongoing transition of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District into government and creating a new Provincial Advisory Council on Education.

Pay Equity

• Supporting fair and equitable pay practices in Newfoundland and Labrador, which builds on the Provincial Government’s ongoing efforts to support women and gender diverse people.

Safety, Security and Consumer Protection

• Improving road safety, with higher penalties for excessive speeding, racing and stunting.
• Expanding presumptive cancer and cardiac coverage for career and volunteer fire fighters.
• Regulating high-cost credit lending and significantly increasing consumer protection for high cost credit consumers in the province.

A full list of legislation debated in this session of the House of Assembly can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quote
“The Speech from the Throne set the stage for a full legislative agenda that will have a meaningful impact on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians today, tomorrow and well into the future. The agenda put particular emphasis on improving access to health care, making important progress towards achieving gender equality, putting money in the pockets of residents who have been adversely impacted by global increases to the cost-of-living, and being responsible managers of the province’s finances.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Government House Leader

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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Executive Council
709-729-0084
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Legislation Introduced and Debated in the Fall 2022 Session of the House of Assembly

• Bill 1: Medical Act
• Bill 2: Supplementary Supply Act
• Bill 3: Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Act
• Bill 5: Future Fund Act
• Bill 6: Revenue Administration Act
• Bill 7: Schools Act
• Bill 8: Credit Union Act
• Bill 9: Highway Traffic Act
• Bill 10: Wild Life Act
• Bill 11: Winding Up of Judgment Recovery (NFLD) Ltd. Act
• Bill 12: Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act
• Bill 13: Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act
• Bill 14: Real Estate Trading Act
• Bill 15: Fair Registration Practices Act
• Bill 16: Revenue Administration Act
• Bill 18: Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act
• Bill 19: Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act
• Bill 20: Provincial Health Authority Act

The post Fall 2022 Sitting of House of Assembly Advances Priorities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians appeared first on News Releases.

Scott Reid, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Education, will bring greetings at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University graduation.

The ceremony will take place today (Wednesday, November 9) at the Fisheries and Marine Institute, 155 Ridge Road, St. John’s at 6:00 p.m.

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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Education
709-729-1906, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

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Please note the time for the following media availability has been changed to 12:30 p.m.

Premier Furey, along with the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Steve Crocker, MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, MHA for St. Barbe – L-Anse aux Meadows, and Dr. William Moores, Divisional Head of Orthopaedics, Eastern Health, will be available to the media today (Wednesday, November 9) at 12:30 p.m.

The availability will take place in the East Block Lobby, Confederation Building, and will be livestreamed on Facebook.

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Media contact
Tina Coffey
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

 

The post Media Advisory: Change in Time for Today’s Media Availability appeared first on News Releases.

A gold coin that was recently discovered on Newfoundland’s south coast may be the oldest-known English coin found in an archaeological context in Canada.

The coin was found during the summer of 2022 by Edward Hynes, who reported it to the Provincial Government as required under the Historic Resources Act.

Consultation with Paul Berry, former curator of the Bank of Canada’s Currency Museum, indicates the coin is a Henry VI quarter noble, minted in London between 1422 and 1427. The coin would have been a sizeable amount of money in the 1400s, valued at 1 shilling 8 pence.

In 2021, a silver coin minted in the 1490s, was found at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site. At that time, it was considered the oldest English coin ever found in Canada.

Exactly how the gold quarter noble coin made its way to Newfoundland and Labrador is a mystery; however, Mr. Berry says the coin was probably not in circulation when it was lost.

Research on the coin is continuing and further work on the site where it was found may be conducted in the future.

To report an archaeological discovery such as this in Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact the Provincial Archaeology Office at 709-729-2462.

Quote
“I commend Mr. Hynes for recognizing the importance of protecting Newfoundland and Labrador’s heritage resources by reporting his discovery of this very rare artifact, and I encourage others to follow his example. These types of artifacts help us understand and appreciate the history of our province, and provide context for those who visit Newfoundland and Labrador from around the world.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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A Henry VI quarter noble, minted in London between 1422 and 1427. Both sides of the coin. A Henry VI quarter noble, minted in London between 1422 and 1427.

Learn more
Rare English Coin Discovered at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-327-9574
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca

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Today, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced two new initiatives to increase orthopaedic surgery capacity in Carbonear and St. Anthony. This builds on ongoing measures to help improve access to health care and reduce wait times for hip and knee joint replacement surgeries in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Premier Furey, along with the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Steve Crocker, MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, MHA for St. Barbe – L-Anse aux Meadows, and Dr. William Moores, Divisional Head of Orthopaedics, Eastern Health, will be available to the media today (Wednesday, November 9) at 12:00 p.m. to discuss these measures. The availability will take place in the East Block lobby, Confederation Building, and will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Work is now underway to utilize operating room capacity at Carbonear General Hospital for inpatient joint replacement surgeries. Traditionally, orthopaedic services at this site were limited to same day surgeries only. To accommodate the addition of joint replacement surgeries, four beds will be opened to admit patients following their surgery. It is anticipated that approximately 160 joint replacement surgeries could be performed at this location annually. Recruitment and training of the required staff will begin in the near future, and the timeline to get surgeries up and running will depend on these factors.

A travelling orthopaedic team will also begin visits to the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony one week each month to perform joint replacement surgeries. Approximately 140 surgeries can be performed at this site annually by the travelling team. It is anticipated that the orthopaedic team could begin surgeries later this month.

There continues to be significant demand for hip and knee replacement surgery in the province, resulting in growing wait times. Reducing waitlists is a priority for all health care stakeholders.

An overview of many of the actions that the Provincial Government has taken to improve access to health care, as well as support the recruitment and retention of health care professionals are outlined in the enclosed backgrounder.

Quotes
“We remain concerned with surgical delays in the province, which is why we established a task force earlier this year. The members continue to identify opportunities where we can improve access to surgeries, as we want to action improvements that will help residents receive quality care in a timely manner. I know first-hand the impacts that are felt by individuals waiting for orthopaedic procedures, and am delighted with these innovative approaches which increase much-needed surgical capacity.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We recognize we have to continue to think differently regarding solutions to address issues affecting our health care system such as the backlog of patients waiting for joint replacements. Utilizing these two sites will certainly have a positive impact on these wait times. Our focus remains the provision of quality health care to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and these initiatives certainly align with that focus.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The opening of additional beds at Carbonear General Hospital is an important step toward reducing wait times for orthopaedic surgeries throughout the province. This is an excellent example of how we can use the resources we have more efficiently to meet the health-care needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde

“I am very pleased to see this innovative approach to increase access to joint replacement surgeries assigned to the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony. While Curtis Memorial is historically known for providing an excellent orthopaedic service, the travelling team resource is a welcome addition and will have a positive impact on wait times, benefitting residents across the District of St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
MHA for St. Barbe – L-Anse aux Meadows

“Orthopaedic demand has seen a continued increase, as the population of Newfoundland and Labrador ages. This needs to be met with increased resources throughout the province. The two initiatives announced today are both positive steps to increase the provincial capacity to deliver orthopaedic care in a more timely manner and are welcomed by our division and Eastern Health.”
Dr. William Moores
Divisional Head of Orthopaedics
Eastern Health

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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Tina Coffey
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Tracey Boland
Media Relations Manager
Eastern Health
709-777-1412
traceyl.boland@easternhealth.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Recent Measures to Address the Shortage of Health Care Professionals

• A one-year pilot program to help entice retired family physicians to come back to the workforce.
• Committed to a suite of measures to expand the supply of health care professionals:
• • Creation of new collaborative community team clinics;
• • Increase in virtual care services to assist with the provision of urgent care; and
• • Commitment to further increase the number of graduates from Licensed Practical Nursing Programs by 40 per cent and Personal Care Attendant Programs by 20 per cent.
• Two new programs launched to support family doctors in the province and help improve access to primary health care:
• • The New Family Physician Income Guarantee initiative guarantees a minimum income equivalent to that of a salaried family physician to new family doctors who bill on a fee for service basis and open a family practice clinic – or join an established clinic – for the first two years of their practice. This will ease some of the uncertainty associated with the business aspects of opening a clinic by increasing financial certainty. Funding recipients will be required to enter into a two-year return-in-service agreement with government.
• • The Family Practice Start-Up Program will provide $150,000 to new family practice physicians who open a family practice clinic, or join an existing family practice in the community, and stay in the practice for five years. Recipients who are approved for both programs must sign a five-year return-in-service agreement with government. Additionally, both programs will be linked to establishing a patient roster in the community, as well as the provision of after-hours care.  This is the highest incentive offered to family physicians at this time in Atlantic Canada.
• Initiatives announced in March 2022 to address the challenges facing nurses in the province, including the nursing think tank; Requests for proposals for core staffing review, health human resource plan and workforce research; and an Internationally Educated Nurses Bursary.
• A new Assistant Deputy Minister for the recruitment and retention office has been hired and the office has been established within the Department of Health and Community Services.
• An additional five undergraduate seats have been added to the Memorial University’s Medical School for Newfoundland and Labrador students.
• Launched Extraordinary Every Day, a health care campaign aimed at recruiting and retaining health care professionals.
• Staffing in the regional health authorities has been enhanced to further support recruitment and retention efforts.
• A number of financial incentives and employee supports have been implemented to help address the immediate nursing workforce challenges and help stabilize the workforce.
• Compensation rates for covering emergency rooms in smaller rural health centres (category B facilities) have been increased as a temporary measure until October 31, 2022 to help retain existing physicians at these sites, as well as to attract other locum physicians during periods of vacancy. As well, in Labrador, Category A rates were increased in the last Memorandum of Understanding.
• $30,000 provided to Eastern Health to support students in the Radiation Therapy Program for each of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. This will double Eastern Health’s capacity to support students in the program.
• Come Home 2022 incentive aimed at physicians, nurses and paramedics from Newfoundland and Labrador who have been living outside the province for at least six months and would like to return home to live and work.
• Short-term initiatives for certain frontline health care workers who are members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) which target areas of the workforce that face significant recruitment challenges.

The post Initiatives Aim to Increase Capacity for Orthopaedic Surgery in Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on News Releases.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards program. Award recipients will be given the opportunity to attend research-related enrichment programs in Canada and the United States.

The application deadline is Friday, December 9, 2022. Further details on the research-related enrichment programs, awards structure, and eligibility criteria are available online.

The competitive process includes an assessment of academic achievement and written essays in which applicants must highlight their future study, career and research interests, and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Level II high school students in the province who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and who will be completing Level II by June 2023, are eligible to apply.

Awards will be granted to a maximum of 15 students, and recipients will attend one of three research-related enrichment programs: the Research Science Institute located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Boston Leadership Institute located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; or the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program located at the University of Toronto.

Quotes
“This is an awesome opportunity for students to further their knowledge and explore innovative research-related programs at some of the best learning institutions in North America. As we work to develop the talent required to advance Research and Development, innovation and economic growth, I encourage students with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics to apply for this amazing experience.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Our students are our biggest asset in Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage everyone to apply and seize this opportunity to study abroad, fulfill academic goals and expand and broaden their knowledge in many areas. Our province is evolving in exciting ways and we need our students to bring their skills and potential to make it stronger.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Education

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Le gouvernement provincial accepte maintenant les demandes du programme de prix RISE de 2023

Learn more
Information on the RISE Awards Program

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IET_GovNL

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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5777, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Lynn Robinson
Education
709-729-1906, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

 

The post Provincial Government Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 RISE Awards appeared first on News Releases.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an annual global event to remember those who have been killed or seriously injured in traffic incidents, and to acknowledge those affected by their loss.

This year’s ceremony in Newfoundland and Labrador will take place on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the East Block lobby of Confederation Building, St. John’s. There will be a wreath laying ceremony where family, friends, loved ones and co-workers are invited to bring flowers, wreaths or photos. Representatives from law enforcement agencies and other organizations are welcome to bring wreaths and banners.

Parking will be available in front of East Block, and guests are asked to enter using the main entrance facing Prince Philip Drive. Guests who require an accessible entrance can use the blue zone parking behind East Block and enter through the “Public Gallery Entrance.”

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Media contact
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

 

The post Public Advisory: Ceremony of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to be Held Next Week appeared first on News Releases.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is advising that it is rescheduling the public hearing to follow up on matters contained in the report of the Auditor General on the MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire to today (Wednesday, November 9) at 2 p.m. in the House of Assembly Chamber.

The MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire report is the result of a request from the Public Accounts Committee to the Auditor General in March 2018 to undertake a review of the process used to purchase the two vessels and the number of concerns related to mechanical issues since they came into service. Wednesday’s hearing will follow up with former officials of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology.

The public galleries of the House of Assembly will be open and a live audio feed of the proceedings will be available on the House of Assembly website.

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Learn more
Report of the Auditor General on the MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire

Public Accounts Committee webpage

Media contact
Mark Jerrett
Policy, Planning and Research Analyst
House of Assembly
709-729-6943
markjerrett@gov.nl.ca

The post Standing Committee on Public Accounts Reschedules Public Hearing on Auditor General Report on MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire appeared first on News Releases.

The Provincial Government is encouraging residents to be extra cautious around coastlines in the coming days.

Environment Canada is advising that high waves, pounding surf and higher than normal water levels are expected on the east coast of the province tonight (Tuesday, November 8) into tomorrow (Wednesday, November 9). North facing coastal communities along the Avalon Peninsula and in the St. John’s vicinity may be at risk of minor flooding and damage to coastal infrastructure due to pounding surf.

Regional forecast information is available from Environment Canada.

Municipalities and local service districts are advised to review their emergency management plans and monitor coastal infrastructure. Efforts should be made to protect vulnerable coastal locations given the potential of damage to infrastructure.

Residents and communities are asked to use caution and to take steps to ensure personal and public safety. Waves of any size can be unpredictable and dangerous, so residents are asked to please stay away from the coastline during this time.

Visit gov.nl.ca/beprepared for more information on emergency preparedness.

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Media contact

Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

The post Public Advisory: Adverse Conditions Anticipated in Coastal Areas appeared first on News Releases.