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NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

********************** Orazietti announces $42,368 for Group Health Centre

Investment in new diagnostic medical equipment benefits Sault and area residents

Queen's Park - The McGuinty government is improving community-based health care by investing in new and upgraded diagnostic medical equipment for the Group Health Centre (GHC) David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"Our government has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Group Health Centre with significant investments during the past several years," said Orazietti. "Today's announcement recognizes funding for the purchase of important medical equipment that will further allow health care professionals at the GHC to continue their outstanding work in meeting the health care needs of residents in the Sault and area."

In addition the Group Health Centre provided matching funding for the medical equipment through the GHC's Trust Fund which included fundraising efforts and donor support.

These funds will enable the Group Health Centre to prepare their Diagnostic Imaging Department for the next phase of computerized digital diagnostic imaging.

The Group Health Centre has purchased software for ultrasound units and equipment for the fluoroscopy unit for compatibility when they change to the picture archiving communication system (PACS).

PACS are computers or networks dedicated to the storage, retrieval, distribution and presentation of images.

It enables practitioners at various locations to share the same information simultaneously.

"This funding enables GHC to prepare our Diagnostic Imaging Department to move to PACS, which will enhance our services to patients," said Teresa D'Angelo, Group Health Association, interim chief operating officer.

During the past two and half years, the provincial government made the following investments in the Group Health Centre;

- $26 million towards a new Group Health Centre contract

- $1.6 million to expand the Group Health Centre Willow Avenue site

- $744,000 for the Vascular Intervention Program (VIP) Research

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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