**** CNS Media Release
Modernizing Long-Term Care Facilities in HRM to Deliver Better Care
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Seniors in Halifax Regional Municipality will have more access to modern long-term care rooms with the replacement facilities in three communities.
Ocean View Continuing Care Centre in Eastern Passage, Oakwood Terrace in Dartmouth and Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax will all be replaced with new 144-room facilities.
“Despite our growing and aging population, past governments have failed to plan for the future,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, who made the announcement today, December 21, at Ocean View. “This is why we are where we are today. Seniors are waiting in hospital beds for a space in a long-term care facility. Others are waiting in emergency departments for those occupied beds. With these new long-term care spots, we are breaking this cycle to ensure every Nova Scotian gets the care they need and deserve.”
The three facilities are part of the recent addition of 2,200 rooms to the Province’s long-term care infrastructure plan. This was the last in a series of announcements about these new and replacement rooms.
The plan expansion includes new long-term care homes that will add about 800 rooms to the long-term care system and the replacement of older homes with new, modern facilities that will have about 1,400 rooms. All of these new homes are expected to be ready by 2032. The original plan included homes with about 3,500 rooms expected to be ready by 2027. Together, these new spaces will help to meet the care needs of the province’s aging population.
All new living spaces will be single rooms, each with its own private washroom. The Province is contracting with several long-term care providers for new facilities and to replace existing ones.
Information and progress updates on all 5,700 rooms are available at: https://novascotia.ca/long-term-care-rooms-progress-updates/
Building and improving more long-term care rooms is part of Action for Health, the Province’s strategic plan to improve healthcare. Building and renovating new facilities with single-bed rooms and ensuring seniors live with dignity and can age well are also commitments in the Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister’s mandate.
Quotes:
“Long-term care is often judged by its cover. Today’s announcement of a new facility will change the look of our physical environment; however, our real story still unfolds within. Innovative practices, caring employees and compassionate care have lived within our walls for the past 56 years. Our government’s commitment to a modern, safe and comfortable place for our residents to call home, for their family and friends to visit, and for staff and volunteers to work in, means we will continue to be a leader in long-term care for decades to come.”
– Angela Berrette, Executive Director, Ocean View Continuing Care Centre
“I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the government’s announcement regarding the new and expanded nursing home to replace our existing facility. This is a significant milestone for the community of Dartmouth, and we are truly grateful for the support and ongoing investment in healthcare infrastructure throughout the province of Nova Scotia.”
– Anthony Taylor, CEO and Administrator, Oakwood Terrace
“The Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home community is thrilled by the news we will receive a new, modern facility to replace our aging infrastructure. We will continue to honour our mission, vision and values and provide the excellent care we are known for but now in a building that is purposefully designed to better meet the complex needs of residents into the future.”
– Ken Rehman, CEO, Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home
Quick Facts:
— the long-term care infrastructure plan was announced in January
— current wait lists for long-term care spots vary across the province; as of November 15, there were just over 1,700 people waiting at home for placement in long-term care
— of those waiting at home, more than 70 per cent receive home care
— seniors make up close to 22 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population; this is expected to climb to more than 25 per cent by 2032
— the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, and the continuing care sector are working together to recruit the staff needed to support the delivery of care that will be required for these new rooms
Additional Resources:
News release – Province Adding, Replacing More Long-Term Care Rooms: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20231120001
News Release – First Long-Term Care Replacement Home Opens: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230929006
News Release – Construction Beginning on Long-Term Care in Central Zone: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230517001
News Release – Province Building More Long-Term Care Rooms: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230111001
Action for Health, the government’s plan for transforming the healthcare system: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth
Mandate letter for the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care:? https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf
