To best meet the needs of the community, a new 24 bed public manor will be built in Tyne Valley, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“We are working to provide top quality health care services for every Islander,” said Minister Currie. “Tyne Valley has a four-year-old modern health care centre, and today we are committing to building a new public manor in that same community.”
The minister said that a structural assessment determined that the current facility will require extensive renovation in order to meet the high standards of service required for long term care residents, and that it would be more fiscally responsible to invest in a new facility.
Government has recently built new manors in Alberton, Souris and Summerside; construction is underway in Charlottetown and plans are being developed for a new facility in Montague.
“We have raised our standards for long term care in Prince Edward Island. Residents deserve a home-like setting, where they receive patient-centered care. We also have been establishing best-practices for patients with dementia,” said Minister Currie. “This new facility will afford West Prince seniors the health care services they need, the dignity they deserve and meet the needs of our ageing population.
Residents have made it very clear to Minister Currie that they would like to see the new 24 bed facility include one palliative care and two respite beds.
“We will work closely with the community of Tyne Valley and engage them in the planning process as we move forward in building the new manor,” said Minister Currie. “I have met with several community leaders from Tyne Valley, and at the request of the community we will include respite and palliative care in the new public facility, as well as long term care services.”
Stewart Memorial Hospital will be transitioning to a long term care facility effective June 25 as part of government’s Better Access Better Care initiative to maximize the capacity of all health facilities in the province. The current facility will continue to offer long term care services until the new Tyne Valley manor is built. The structural assessment identified some short-term needs within the current facility; these renovations will take place over the summer in order to provide safe, quality care for its residents.
“The Department of Health and Wellness is working to provide our Island seniors with the health care they need, whether it be improved home care, facility-based care, extended care, palliative care or other care,” said Minister Currie.
With the new Tyne Valley manor focusing on long term care, its lab, diagnostic imaging and ambulatory services will be transferred this week to nearby facilities. Patients currently at Stewart Memorial with acute medical needs will remain until they are medically discharged or transferred to another facility, and then the bed will be designated for long term care use.
“To help protect our acute care beds for our most sick Islanders, we are increasing access to long term care and making better use of the primary care services we currently have,” said Deborah Bradley, executive director of Community Hospitals and Primary Health Care for Health PEI.
Tyne Valley area residents have access to extensive primary care services at the Tyne Valley Health Centre. Services available by booked appointment, provided by a family physician, RN, LPN, or diabetes educator, include:
• Blood work
• Medical appointments
• Chronic disease prevention and management for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and COPD
• Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, suture/staple removal, throat swabs, prescription renewals, ear syringing, dressing changes and injections (cortisone, B12 etc.)
Additional services at the health centre include diabetes education, public health and mental health services.
Procedures such as IV therapy, blood transfusions, aerosol mask treatments and lump removals are available at O’Leary Health Centre, Western Hospital and Prince County Hospital. Casting is available at Western and Prince County Hospitals. X-ray service will continue at Community Hospital O’Leary, Western Hospital and Prince County Hospital.
Islanders should always call 9-1-1 or visit a hospital emergency department for urgent medical needs. For non-urgent care, visit your general practitioner or nearest walk-in clinic.