HALIFAX: The provincial government announced Jan. 29 that it is making a major investment in new long-term care beds and facilities to better serve residents, their families and staff.
Under a new multi-year plan, government will add 236 beds in Central Zone, including 44 for Northwood in Halifax. The other 192 beds will be determined through the tender process.
The plan also includes replacing or significantly renovating seven nursing homes across the province.
“When our loved ones are ready for long-term care, they deserve to have high-quality care in a safe and comfortable environment,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We are investing in the long-term care system to better meet the needs of residents, their families and staff.”
During the ongoing review of long-term care facilities, seven have been identified for immediate work based on their overall condition and best practices in infection prevention and control:
— Northwood, Halifax
— The Birches, Musquodoboit Harbour
— Shoreham Village, Chester
— Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown
— Grand View Manor, Berwick
— R.C. MacGillivray Guest Home, Sydney
— Foyer Pere Fiset, Chéticamp
The existing building at the Northwood Halifax Campus will be maintained. One hundred beds that had been removed to create single rooms as recommended in the review of the COVID-19 outbreak at the facility will be built at a new location, plus an additional 44 beds.
The other facilities will be replaced or undergo a major renovation. The first project is anticipated to be completed by 2024-25.
The Long-Term Care Infrastructure Plan also increases the annual budget for capital repairs and equipment upgrades available to all facilities. The new budget is $10.5 million annually, an increase of $8 million.
Quote:
“Given our population and demographics, we need long-term care infrastructure that helps ensure the highest quality of care for Nova Scotians. The recent Northwood and infection prevention and control reviews made clear recommendations around replacing shared spaces with single rooms, and this plan will help us achieve that, while building on the improvements we have already made in long-term care.”
– Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine
Quick Facts:
— the estimated cost within the Long-Term Care Infrastructure Plan is $10.5 million annually for capital repairs and equipment upgrades for facilities, to be determined on an ongoing basis
— $630,000 is the estimated cost annually to hire five permanent full-time employees dedicated to overseeing the projects
— funds to add beds in Central zone, and construct or renovate facilities, will be determined once detailed reviews are complete
— in 2019-20, the province announced 197 new nursing home beds for New Waterford (36), North Sydney (38), Eskasoni (48), Meteghan (10), Mahone Bay (35) and Halifax (30).
Additional Resources:
More information about long-term care in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/ccs/long-term-care.asp
