Thursday, August 23, 2007
Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
McGuinty Government Increases Access to Long-Term Care Beds in London Area
New Beds Will Bring 450 Jobs To The Region
ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES –
The McGuinty government is moving forward to
strengthen health care services for First Nations by
awarding a total of 64 new long-term care home
beds at the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Health
and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman
announced today.
“Our government is working hard to meet the
needs of people living on reserves,” said
Smitherman. “This new direction and partnership
with Oneida will ensure residents are consistently
receiving high quality long-term care in a home
like environment.”
Today’s announcement is part of total investment
of $45.6 million to develop 608 long-term beds in
London. The distribution of beds awarded is as
follows :
- The Homewood Corporation – 192 beds
- PeopleCare Inc. – 160 beds
- Henley Place Ltd. – 192 beds
- Oneida Nation of the Thames – 64 beds
The new beds are expected to open by the end of
2010.
“We are delighted the government is moving
forward with this new investment to ensure needed
long-term care beds are developed for the
residents of the South West Local Health
Integration Network (LHIN),” said Norm Gamble,
Chair of the South West LHIN.
“We are committed to our elders and their
families,” said Joel Abram, Acting Chief of Oneida
Nation of the Thames. “Today’s announcement
will help us provide a caring and comfortable
environment in our own long-term care home. Our
community is dedicated to this new facility and
this unique partnership with the Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care.”
This is just one more example of how, working
together, Ontarians have achieved results in
improving the quality of life for long-term care
residents. Other initiatives include:
- Providing residents with more nutritious food
by increasing the food allowance by 33.6% since
July 2003
- Funding 6,100 new front-line staff,
including 2,300 nurses
- Redeveloping 35,000 older long-term care
beds over the next 10 years to ensure equitable
access to quality long-term care home
accommodation.
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.
For further information:
Members of the media :
David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister`s Office
A.G Klei, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Members of the general public :
416-327-4327, or 1-866-532-3161
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