STR gets new urology outreach program

Residents Bay St. George and the surrounding area can benefit from improved healthcare, with the creation of a new urology outreach program at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital.

The program, launched by Health Minister Jerome Kennedy in Stephenville last Friday, has several goals, one of which is to reduce wait times from approximately 16 weeks down to about six or seven weeks.

The minister said the program would provide flexible cystoscopy procedures and outpatient consultation on a weekly basis, which will also reduce wait times.

"Ensuring that health care programs and services are available close to home for all residents in our province remains a priority for our government," he said.

"In addition to patients who use this program in the Bay St. George region, patients are travelling from other parts of the western region to access this service."

The government has invested over $950,000, $410,000 of which will go towards new equipment. Several positions have also been created to help deliver the program. They include a LPN and a registered nurse.

Stephenville Mayor Tom O'Brien said any addition to services at the hospital in Stephenville is good news.

"When the minister brings money and staff to go with it, it certainly shows the commitment of the provincial government towards our health care facility here in Bay St. George."

The investment comes from the government's 2010 budget. It was noted the Williams Government has invested over $5 million dollars into health care delivery and services in the Stephenville region since 2003.

reporter@thegeorgian.ca