New medical centre planned for Tyne Valley

A new medical clinic announced Friday by the P.E.I. government for Tyne Valley will replace a badly outdated building, says the chairwoman of the local hospital board.

Lorraine Robinson said the clinic was identified as a priority for Tyne Valley in consultations with the province, the Stewart Memorial Hospital board and members of the community.

"The board is very pleased and I'm sure the community will be very happy," Robinson told CBC News.

"We met with representatives of the Friends of Stewart Memorial last night and advised them and they're quite happy with that."

The clinic will replace a small building on the hospital grounds that contains the offices of Tyne Valley's two doctors. The new building will allow for separate exam rooms and a larger reception area. It will also contain space for visiting professionals such as those working in mental health, addictions or public health. An office for a nurse practitioner is also a possibility.

Robinson said there is space on the hospital grounds for the new building.

Health Minister Chester Gillan said the centre will complement services at Stewart Memorial. Money for the new centre will come from federal and provincial governments, as well as the community.

The closing of the emergency department at Stewart Memorial in 2004 marked the beginning of concerns in rural P.E.I. that the government was pulling away from supporting medical services outside Charlottetown and Summerside. Those concerns were raised again when the emergency department in Souris was closed in January 2006.

The Progressive Conservative government appears to be attempting to turn around that impression this week. On Thursday, the government announced it was doubling fees for doctors working in emergency departments in West Prince hospitals.