The opening of 17 new long-term care beds will provide better access to care for Prince County seniors and free up hospital beds for other patients requiring additional medical care, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Our government is committed to providing Prince County seniors with the care they require and the dignity they deserve,” said the minister. “The addition of these new beds will help ensure our health-care system is meeting the needs of our Island seniors.”
Andrews of Summerside has been awarded a licence for an additional 10 beds and will begin the process this week to fill those beds. Community Hospital O’Leary will open an additional seven beds this week.
The Andrews of Summerside beds are the first beds to open as part of a request for proposals that will see an additional 55 long-term care beds open in the province. The beds at Community Hospital O’Leary are the final phase of beds to be opened in the Margaret Stewart Ellis wing.
In addition to the 17 new beds opening this week, work continues to open another eight long-term care beds in Tyne Valley. These beds will open following completion of renovations at Stewart Memorial in late August.
The beds are part of the provincial government’s commitment to improving long-term care for Island seniors that includes improving access to long-term care in all regions of the province through the addition of new beds and a $63-million program to replace five provincial manors.
“Our Island population is aging and the need for senior care continues to grow. At the same time, there is added pressure on our hospitals as some seniors are waiting for a placement in a long-term care home,” said the minister. “Our government’s plan will help alleviate this pressure while giving Island seniors and their families the peace of mind that they will be cared for in modern, home-like settings.”