Tom Marshall: Corner Brook hospital needs to be done right

The province set aside money in last week's budget to commission a study to determine what services are feasible for the yet-to-be completed new Corner Brook hospital.

Premier Tom Marshall announced money for a study into a possible radiation unit, as well as putting aside space for a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner.

We have to do it right. You get one chance at this, and we have to ensure it's done properly- Tom Marshall

The budget earmarked $15 million for the project; of that, $500,000 will be spent to study radiation units. Marshall estimates the total costs of the build will run somewhere in the $800-million range, plus equipment.

He said this money would help cover the cost for a specialized room for the PET scanner, even though government hasn't committed to adding that technology to the new hospital.

The premier added that he'd like to see radiation services also available on the west coast of the island.

"We put money in the budget for a study into offering safe radiation services here in western [Newfoundland] and I want to do that — I want to see radiation services here," Marshall said.

But he added that people will simply have to wait if they want the hospital to endure.

"I know people are frustrated, they want it done quicker," Marshall said.

"We have to do it right. You get one chance at this, and we have to ensure it's done properly."

Marshall said one of the biggest roadblocks to ensuring the new hospital will function is finding, and keeping, the specialized staff necessary to run the equipment.