Island seniors will soon have better access to long term care with the addition of 55 new long term care beds, says Premier Robert Ghiz.
“With these new beds and our $63 million program to replace the five provincial manors, government is working hard to ensure that Island seniors have good access to the health facilities and services they need and deserve,” said Premier Ghiz.
“These new beds will meet the needs of seniors and their families,” said Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Curie. “At the same time, they will ease the pressure on acute care beds and enable us to provide better access to better care for all Islanders.”
The province issued a RFP for long term care beds in February. The three successful recipients are Andrews of Summerside which will receive funding for 10 beds; Atlantic Baptist Home in Charlottetown, 15 beds; and a new facility at Mount St. Mary’s in Charlottetown, 30 beds.
Earlier today Premier Ghiz and Minister Currie took part in an announcement at Mount St. Mary’s, with the Sisters of St. Martha. The Sisters announced that the Mount would be redeveloped into a combined long term care and community care facility. The Sisters are selling the building and will be working with a developer to create a home for both the Sisters of St. Martha and the general public as well. The top floor of the building will remain a home for the Sisters and a place for them to age as a community.
The Province, through an agreement with the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha, will receive an option to purchase the excess lands not required for the project. This will ensure provincial access to a very strategic property adjacent to the University of Prince Edward Island.
“We are so happy to be staying as a community in our home; community is at the essence of our mission,” said Sister Rosemary MacDonald, congregation leader. “Our community is about a common support system, prayer and togetherness; it helps strengthen us as individuals in ministry and as a group for living out our mission. We have been working for a number of years to find a way for us to age together as a community. This new development will allow us to remain a community throughout the rest of our years, while still giving back to the Island community as a whole.”
“The Sisters of St. Martha have been giving back to Prince Edward Island since 1916,” said Premier Ghiz. “Allowing the Sisters to age as a community is one small way we can recognize the Sisters for their tremendous dedication and commitment to Islanders.”
The Sisters of St. Martha were pioneers in the Prince Edward Island health care system, founding many of the Island’s hospitals. They also provided the first two trained social workers in the province, and were the driving force behind the education of young people for many generations.
“We started with nothing, and our Sisters made many sacrifices,” said Sister MacDonald. “From the very beginning we’ve been giving to health care, so it is only fitting that now our Home is becoming a health care facility to help meet the needs of Island seniors.”
“We cannot thank these women enough for their contribution and ongoing commitment,” said Minister Currie.
Increased access to long term care beds is one of government’s five strategic health priorities outlined in the most recent Speech from the Throne. With these additional 55 beds, the total number of long term care beds in the province by 2015 will be 1,129, up from 975 in 2006, an increase of 15 per cent.