With the opening of 15 new beds this week at Atlantic Baptist Home, the provincial government’s commitment to 55 new long term care beds is nearing completion, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“High quality seniors’ care remains a major priority of this government and we continue to respond to growing needs in this area,” said Minister Currie. “By making major investments in new beds, new manors and key programs like palliative care, Island seniors now have more access to a higher level of care in modern, comfortable facilities.”
Over the past year, 32 new long term care beds were opened, including seven beds at the Margaret Stewart Ellis Home in O’Leary, 10 beds at Andrews of Summerside and 15 at The Mount. This week another 15 beds are opening at the Atlantic Baptist Home and an additional 15 will open at the Mount in the new year.
The average cost to government for each new bed is $40,000 per year.
Minister Currie said the new beds will bring the total number of long term care beds in the province up from 975 beds in 2006 to 1,141 early in the new year. “As well as increasing the total number of beds by 17 percent, we were able to add needed specialty beds such as 30 new safety beds at Atlantic Baptist Home and The Mount.”
Several new manors have opened or are being planned, based on best practices in care for the elderly. Through the $63 million manor replacement program, the new Colville Manor opened in Souris and the Maplewood Manor opened in Alberton in 2011. The Summerset Manor opened in Summerside and the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown in 2013. Work will begin in 2015 on new manors in Montague and Tyne Valley.
A new $5.6 million Palliative Care Centre is expected to be complete early in the new year. The Centre, located adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, will have ten inpatients beds and an outpatient clinic. It will also offer day programming and educational support to families. Occupancy is planned for March 2015.