ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to spend $3.6 million to reduce emergency department wait times.
The provincial government issue a statement today saying the investment will be announced in its spring budget.
The province's five-year strategy includes looking at staff scheduling, patient flow and admitting standards at 33 emergency rooms.
Health Minister Susan Sullivan says she also wants to improve access to community-based health services, family doctors and the province's health-care telephone line.
About $2 million will be spent to set up an emergency department information system at the Health Sciences Centre and St. Clare's Mercy Hospital in St. John's.
As well, $720,000 will be spent to hire an external consultant to review three high-volume emergency departments in the province.
