Liberals move to eliminate long-term care multi-bed wards

MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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The McGuinty government will be redeveloping 647 older long-term care beds in Nipissing as part of a 10 year plan to ensure equitable access to quality long-term care home accommodation, Monique Smith, MPP announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“All long-term care home residents deserve to have access to the best services and features our long-term care homes can offer,” MPP Smith said. “Many long-term care homes in our area will be redeveloped so that they can provide our residents with the best possible care in the most modern environment. As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, I heard first hand from our local homes and homes across the province of the need to upgrade homes to ensure all of our seniors are receiving quality care in up to date homes. I have worked very closely with Ministry officials and a variety of stakeholders to ensure that the redevelopment program that we develop is appropriate for all homes across the province including those in rural and northern Ontario".

Beginning in 2008 in Ontario, the government plans to begin redeveloping about 3,500 beds annually over the next 10 years for a total of 35,000 beds. The province’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks together with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be prioritizing which projects go forward for renewal each year.

“We will be redeveloping these older long-term care homes to give residents a higher quality of life in comfortable, home-like environment,” Smitherman said.

To ensure equitable access to this program, the government will address the unique needs of small homes and non-profit groups.

This is the latest example of how the McGuinty government has achieved results in long-term care. Other initiatives include:

· Increasing funding for long-term care by nearly $800 million since 2003;

· Increasing funding for the long-term care food allowance 33.6% since July 2003;

· Funding 6,100 new front-line staff, including 2,300 nurses;

· Opening 7,712 new long-term care beds since October 2003.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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