Healthcare 
All individuals hope that they have the privilege of being in an excellent healthcare system where they are living. People desire to stay healthy, enhance their well-being and be provided with emergency services through the access of adequate resources.
The healthcare system in Canada is funded by the federal, provincial and territorial governments with the main source of revenue being taxation. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the health care system consists of services between a patient and a health professional, including physicians, nurse practioners, public health officials, social workers, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. Ensuring that individuals have access to services in a timely manner is one of the most important goals of the primary health care system in the province. The town of Grand Falls-Windsor provides residents with tremendous access to health resources.
History of Health Care in Grand Falls-Windsor
The establishment of the first hospital took place during 1909 elaborate banquet at the mill when Lord Northcliffe announced a gift of $10,000 from his wife, Lady Northcliffe. Northcliffe also mentioned that Miss Gilmore would be the nurse in charge. Doctor Harry B. Chamberlain was born in 1879 in Ontario and graduated from McGill Medical School. Dr. Chamberlain became the first doctor in the whole Grand Falls-Windsor area while Dr. Walter Scott, a classmate, joined him. A small medical clinic was built for all medical activities after the doctors arrived. This facility contained one cot only and several examining rooms. The commencement of the new hospital took place in October 1909 and was called the Lady Northcliffe Hospital which contained nine beds, Miss Gilmore as a nurse, an aide, a cook, an orderly and a laundress. The medical needs of the Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding areas where being service by Lady Northcliffe hospital for almost 50 years. Finally, a decision to construct a 183-bed hospital with 27 bassinettes was made beginning construction in early 1961. This new hospital would be called the Central Newfoundland Hospital, which was officially opened by Premier J.R Smallwood on Labour Day, Sept 2, 1963 (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 304-315).
The results from a 2008 Residential Survey, completed by 10 individuals, indicated that the average rating for “Access to Health Resources in Grand Falls-Windsor” was a 3.45 out of a possible 5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being excellent.
Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre
The main source of healthcare is given to individuals at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, which serves approximately 110,000 people. This facility employs more than 600 staff, has 130 beds, treats 5000 inpatients yearly, assists in 400 deliveries, performed 6,000 operations and examines 42,000 patients in the Out-Patient/Emergency unit.
The Centre is well equipped with endoscopic investigative equipment, Holter monitoring and stress testing, C.T. Scan, latest in color ultrasound (with dopplar), pulmonary function testing, echocardiography, E.M.G. and E.E.G., etc. It has five operating rooms and one urology suite, a well developed day surgery program and same day admissions. The Centre has very modern obstetrical and nursery suites as well as an ICU/CCU department.
Additional services available at Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre include: 24 hour emergency department; same-day admissions program, medicine, mental health, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatric, and surgery units; ambulatory clinics; hemodialysis program; dialysis, speech language pathology and audiology services; psychology services; social work services; rehabilitative services; otolaryngology (ear/nose/throat) services; diabetic clinics; laboratory and diagnostic imaging; clinical dietitians services; bone density program; hostel; and the Central Newfoundland Hospital Auxiliary
The Centre is staffed by forty-five (45) physicians, twenty-six (26) are specialists representing Anesthesia, Dermatology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, Pathology and Radiology, Psychiatry, Urology, plus, sixteen (16) General Practitioners and four (4) Emergency Room Physicians. Visiting specialists represent nephrology, oncology, orthopedics, and pediatric cardiology.
Contact Information: Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre
50 Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2E1
Telephone: (709) 292-2229
Website: http://www.cwhc.nf.ca
Medical Care Plan In Newfoundland
The provincial Medical Care Plan was developed in 1969 and was designed to cover costs affiliated with physician services received by residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Medical Care Plan (MCP) merged with the Department of Health and Community Services on April 1, 2000 and continues to provide services including:
visits to Physician Office, Hospital or Beneficiary’s Resident
surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including anaesthesia
pre- and post-operative care
complete maternity care
radiology interpretive services
certain surgical-dental procedures which are medically necessary to be performed in hospital by a dentist or oral surgeon
(Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-Canada)
Eligibility
Those eligible in being covered by the Medical Care Plan must be in at least one of the following categories: Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants or Foreign Workers. In order to qualify for the MCP in Newfoundland and Labrador, the individual must provide required documentation. For Further Information on eligibility and required documentation Visit: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/mcp/html/info_ben.htm
Those types of individuals not eligible for the Medical Care Plan, even if they are living in Newfoundland and Labrador include:
- Students from other provinces and territories
- Dependents of residents of another province/territory
- Certified refugees and refugee claimants
- Foreign workers with Employment Authorizations that do not meet the established criteria
- Tourists, transients and visitors
- Dependents of any of the above excluded categories
- Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel
- Inmates of federal prisons
- Armed Forces personnel of other countries stationed in the province
- (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-Canada)
Application
The Medical Care Plan (MCP) card is important to obtain as it enables access to medical treatment in the province such as a hospital or doctor. This card is not only beneficial to have in Newfoundland and Labrador but can be used in all of Canada.
For Inquiries Regarding MCP Registration:
St. John’s/Avalon Region: 1-866-449-4459
All other areas, including Labrador: 1-800-563-1557
Dental Health Plan-Children Dental Health Program
Children 12 years and under and between the ages of 13-17 are eligible for dental services in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador if their parents are in receipt of income support benefits. This category of children has automatic coverage. Coverage now extends to those children between the ages of 13-17 living in families with low income, with an annual net income of $30,000.00 CDN or less but are not in receipt of income support benefits. Families under this category must first apply for coverage through the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.
The children's dental program covers the following dental services for all children, up to and including age twelve:
-examinations at six-month intervals
-cleanings at 12-month intervals
-fluoride applications for children ages six to 12 at 12-month intervals (except where the School Rinse Program is in place)
-some x-rays
- routine fillings and extractions
- sealants
Services covered for children 13 to 17 in families receiving income support or eligible families with low incomes include:
- examinations every 24 months
- some x-rays
- routine fillings and extractions
- emergency examinations when a patient has pain, an infection or experienced trauma
For further information on Newfoundland and Labradors Dental Health Plan, visit: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/divisions/medical/dentalservices.htm#dental
(Heath & Community Service Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-Canada)
Application
To apply for the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Health Plan, visit http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/divisions/medical/pdf/CDHP_Application.pdf
For Inquiries Regarding Dental Eligibility and Dental Letters
1-888-859-3535 or fax 1-888-272-2444
For Inquiries Regarding Dental Services : 1-800-440-4405
General Practioners in Grand Falls-Windsor
Central Medical Clinic
51 Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2C9
Contact: Dr. D.J. Sutherland-Urologist
Phone: (709) 489-6848
Central Specialty Clinic
52 Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2E2
Contact: Donna Cassell
Dr. Kris Luscombe
Phone: (709) 292-8892
Dr. Michael T. Cohen
30A Bond Street
Medical Centre
7 Pinsent Drive
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8
Contact Person: Donna Stuckless
Phone: (709) 489-3141
Family Practice Clinic
84 Memorial Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1R9
Contact: Kim Dover-Office Mgr.
Phone: (709) 489-6687
Grand Falls Medical Clinic
Medical Arts Building
164 Goodyear Avenue
Grand Falls-windsor, NL A2A 1M4
Phone: (709) 489-6362
Physiotherapy
Aspen Physio Therapy
28 Hardy Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P9
Contact: Linda King
Phone: (709) 489-4623
Email: aspenphysiot@aibn.com
Billard Physiotherapy
52 Union Street. Suite 3
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J3
Phone: (709) 489-7441
Email: billardphysio@nf.aibn.com
Chiropractors
Dr. Gregory Paul Woolfrey
5 Cartwright Plaza
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1L7
Contact: Dr. P.G. Woolfrey
Phone: (709) 489-4998
Massage Therapy
Central Therapeutic Massage Ltd.
2A Bank Road, Suite B
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1G6
Contact: Brian Eason
Phone: (709) 489-3066
Email: centralmassage@nf.aibn.com
Optometristis
Dr. Grace Hwang
14 Pinsent Drive
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2R6
Contact: Wanda Hiscock
Position: Optometrist Assistant
Phone: (709) 489-4423
Dr. C.J. Duncan
9 Pinsent Drive
P.O. Box 529
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J9
Phone: (709) 489-9411
Email: drduncan@nfld.net
Website: www.drduncan.optometry.net
Howlett Optical
47 Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2M4
Contact: Dr. R.J. Howlett
Phone: (709) 489-2020
Email: howlettoptical.gfw@nf.aibn.com
Work Rehabilitation
Back In Action Work Rehab
28 Hardy Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P9
Contact: Alex Mercer
Phone: (709) 489-0606
Email: backinactionrehab@nf.sympatico.ca
Electrolysis
Dorothy’s Complexion Clinic
90 Grenfell Heights
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1W5
Contact: Dorothy Parsons
Phone: (709) 489-6833
Email: dorothyparsons@nf.aibn.com
Website: www.complexionclinic.ca
Prenatal Programs
Exploits Valley Healthy Baby Club
Bartle Place
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2L3
Contact: Tracey Hart
Phone: (709) 489-0433
Email: hbcl@nf.aibn.com
Dentists
Dr. Andrew Harvey Family Dentist
52 Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J3
Contact: Necoll Crocker
Phone: (709) 489-8833
Exploits Valley Dental Office
4 Pinsent Drive
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2R6
Contact: Dr. Douglas Musseau
Position: Dental Surgeon
Phone: (709) 489-3660
Email: info@nicesmiole.ca
Website: www.nicesmile.ca
Family Dental Office
22A St. Catherine Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1V8
Contact: Dr. Craig Budgen/Dr.Craig Woolridge/Dr. Debbie Delaney
Phone: (709) 489-7165
Grand Falls Dental Office
60 Carmelite Road
P.O. Box 187
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J4
Contact: Dr. Cas Browne
Phone: (709) 489-2186
Denturists
Exploits Denture Centre
51 Lincoln road
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1N1
Contact: Chris Browne
Phone: (709) 489-9800
Opticians
First Choice Vision Centre
9 Pinsent Drive
P.O. Box 156
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8
Contact: Eric Healey
Phone: (709) 489-4525
Email: gfw@fcvisioncentre.com
Wheeler & Assoc., Wayne G., Dr./First Choice Vision Centre
9 Pinsent Drive
P.O. Box 156
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8
Contact: Eric Healey
Phone: (709) 489-1103
Email: gfw@fcvisioncentre.com
Hearing Aids
Exploits Hearing Aid Centre
9 Pinsent Drive, Suite 102
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8
Contact: Bill & Dianne Earle
Phone: (709) 489-8900
Footcare Clinic
Soletons
C/O Central Pharmacy
Union Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Contact: Allison Collins
Phone: (709) 486-3892
