Canada's Minister of Defence Bill Blair took a tour of the new Health Services Centre at 22 Wing at Canadian Forces North Bay.
Blair even put the nurses to work by getting his seasonal flu shot near the end of his tour around the new $22 million dollar building which is expected to provide Canadian and American military personnel at the base with faster, higher quality care while increasing their availability for operations.
Prior to his tour and his needle, Blair took part in a media conference to help unveil the new facility.
“One of my top priorities as Minister is to support the health and well-being of Canadian Armed Forces members," said Blair.
"The completion of this new, modern Health Services Centre is an important milestone for CFB North Bay – and will ensure that our personnel receive timely and high-quality medical care. We will continue to make investments in Defence infrastructure to increase our readiness and support our military personnel.”
Anthony Rota, Nipissing-Timiskaming's MP who was making his first public appearance since he stepped down as Speaker of the House due to the Hunka controversy, believes this announcement is great news for CFB North Bay.
“The new Health Services Centre at CFB North Bay is an important step forward for Canadian Armed Forces members in our community," said Rota during the press conference.
"This federal investment of $22 million will considerably improve the health care provided to CFB North Bay members and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the people of our military.”
Previously, 22 Wing North Bay’s ageing health services facilities were located at several locations throughout the base, limiting easy access to a wide range of medical services needed by our personnel.
Now in one location, this modern medical facility will provide care by civilian and military doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical technicians, mental health professionals, dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and administrative staff.
