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McGuinty Government moving
forward on redevelopment of Bluewater Rest Home -
August 20, 2007
ZURICH- The McGuinty government is addressing the unique needs of
small and non-profit long term-care homes in a pilot project at the Blue
Water Rest Home that will bring together both health and social services
in a rural setting,” Health and Long-Term Care Minister George
Smitherman announced today.
“We are throwing away the cookie cutter approach to redeveloping
long-term care homes in Ontario,” said Smitherman. “Our goal is to be
more responsive and flexible so that all homes in the province that need
to be upgraded have that opportunity – Blue Water Rest Home is the first
step in that direction.”
Blue Water Rest Home was selected as the pilot for the McGuinty
government’s recently announced plan to redevelop 35,000 older long-term
care beds over the next 10 years. Under this pilot project the ministry
will:
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Provide a funding grant of up to $100,000 to plan
for the redevelopment of the home
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Raise the construction per diem from $10.35 per
bed to approximately $15.00 per bed to recognize inflation,
construction costs and the specific challenges faced by smaller and
non-profit homes
The ministry provides additional capital funds on a
per bed, per day basis for each long-term care bed that is redeveloped.
This additional capital funding is used to support the payment of loans
secured by operators for actual construction costs of long-term care
beds.
The ministry, the South West Local Health Integration Network and Blue
Water Rest Home will work together to develop other programs, such as
child day care, supportive housing units and training programs, that
will transform the home into a hub of community-based services in a
rural area.
“This announcement will end the uncertainty for small, rural homes like
Bluewater Rest Home,” said MPP Carol Mitchell. “By responding to the
needs of smaller homes in our communities, we are helping to make
certain that all seniors will receive the dedicated, compassionate care
they deserve.” “We commend the government for moving
ahead with this pilot program,” said Martha Craig, Administrator, Blue
Water Rest Home. “Smaller homes generally do not have the management
strength and human resources availability to dedicate the time required
to plan for a redevelopment. This funding will allow Blue Water to hire
the resources we need to make the project a success.”
Starting in 2008, the government will move forward with a Long-Term Care
Renewal Strategy to redevelop about 3,500 beds each year.
This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have
achieved results in long-term care. Other initiatives include:
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Increasing funding for the long-term care food
allowance 33.6 per cent since July 2003
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Funding 6,100 new front-line staff, including
2,300 nurses
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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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Media Contacts:
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519-482-5630 |
