Acknowledging the hard work and commitment of the Tyne Valley community and Honourable Philip Brown, MLA and citing his government’s commitment to the provision of quality rural health care, Premier Pat Binns today made an important announcement regarding expanded outpatient service for Stewart Memorial Hospital.
“The Planning Committee and the Friends of Stewart Memorial Hospital have worked together to develop this plan for the delivery of health services in the Tyne Valley area. We want to continue to ensure that the Stewart Memorial Hospital is a viable, sustainable institution in the community, that responds to the needs of the community,” the Premier said.
Expanded hours for outpatient services will begin at Stewart Memorial Hospital in Tyne Valley on January 1, 2005. The expanded hours of operation for outpatient services at Stewart Memorial Hospital will be from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
“Previously, physicians were not always available during this time period. Now, consistent access to a physician will be available to the residents of the Tyne Valley area during a thirteen-hour period each day,” explained Dr. Allen MacLean, Chair of the Board of East Prince Health. Physicians may not necessarily be located on site during this time period. Rather, they may be working in their clinic or on call.
Outpatient services provide access to a physician for non-urgent medical care similar to that received in a physician’s office.
If there is an emergency, the public should call 911, or go to the nearest Emergency Room located at Community Hospital in O’Leary or Prince County Hospital in Summerside. Cascumpec-Grand River MLA and Minister of Tourism Philip Brown is pleased with the decision to provide consistent access to physician services at Stewart Memorial Hospital through expanded outpatient services hours. “From the outset of this process, it was my goal to ensure that Stewart Memorial Hospital continued to be an integral part of health services in the area,” Minister Brown said.
In making this announcement, Health and Social Services Minister Chester Gillan recognized the work of the Stewart Memorial Hospital Planning Committee, and acknowledged the contribution of the Friends of Stewart Memorial Hospital.
“All the stakeholders involved in this process, including physicians, nurses, Friends of Stewart Memorial Hospital, Lennox Island Band Council and East Prince Health, worked extremely hard to achieve this result and are in agreement with the service we are announcing,” said the Minister.
Community representative and member of the Friends of Stewart Memorial Hospital, Lynden Ellis, expressed how pleased he was with the Premier’s announcement.
“We were pleased that the Premier gave us the opportunity to work very hard with government to pursue this option and, as a result, we can be assured of a sustainable service for the residents of Tyne Valley and surrounding area,” said Mr. Ellis. “We will continue to work with government to ensure enhanced services for the Tyne Valley area.”