Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is pleased to advise that echocardiogram services are now fully operational at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy-Valley Goose Bay. Echocardiogram (ECHO) testing was completed in June, with the first ECHO clinic offered in July.

An echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound test that creates images of the heart. It assesses the heart’s structure and function, including the size and shape of chambers, valve operation, and blood flow. Echocardiograms are used to diagnose various heart conditions, monitor treatment effectiveness, and assess overall heart health.

“Implementing ECHO services required a significant effort from multiple partners, and we are thrilled to see the successful implementation of this service in Happy Valley – Goose Bay,” said Donnie Sampson, senior director, Provincial Cardiovascular and Stroke Care Program. “The expansion of this service allows us to provide equitable access to diagnostic cardiac care services for people living within the region. Patients living in the area may now choose to have their procedure completed closer to home reducing travel time and cost.”

There are now ECHO services available at all three hospitals in the Labrador-Grenfell Zone. The cardiac sonographer will continue to work from the Labrador West Health Centre (Labrador City) and provide traveling clinics to the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital (St. Anthony) and now the Labrador Health Centre (Happy Valley – Goose Bay).

“Having ECHO services at all three hospitals in Labrador-Grenfell Zone is another way we are increasing access to care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as part of our ten-year transformation of the health system,” said the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Health and Community Services. “As Minister, but mostly as MHA for the district of St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows, I recognize how important it is to have services available as close to home as possible. In addition to the fly-in/fly-out cardiac catheterization flights and the cardiology team’s virtual heart failure management program, we have made great strides in providing more timely and efficient cardiac care in all corners of the province.”

To date, so far more than 30 patients in Happy Valley – Goose Bay have benefited from having this important procedure completed closer to home. Patients can access this service through their primary care provider.

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