Minister announces decision on Chancellor Park Pilot Project

Health and Community Services Minister Gerald Smith today announced the conclusion of the pilot project at Chancellor Park, the province�s only private nursing home. Minister Smith also stated that government will continue to subsidize the care for those residents who were part of the pilot project.

"Those residents that were part of the pilot project will continue to be financially supported to remain at Chancellor Park. However, there will be no new admissions under the �single entry� public system to Chancellor Park," said Minister Smith.

In October 2001, government entered into a pilot project with Chancellor Park whereby government would provide 30 nursing home bed subsidies. The project was extended in March 2002 to allow for a full evaluation to be conducted. In October 2002, government commenced a review of the pilot project to review compliance with quality of care standards set out in the agreement, examine resident quality of life and satisfaction, determine the cost-effectiveness of the agreement, and possible future arrangements. The review was completed in March 2003.

Some key findings of the review included:

• Families of residents at both Chancellor Park and the comparative public facility generally rated quality of life and satisfaction levels at both facilities highly;
• Chancellor Park is currently a less expensive option than public facilities in the St. John�s Region

Minister Smith explained that the recent review indicated Chancellor Park provides a quality of care comparable to the public system, which reinforces the view that the private sector can provide quality long-term care in this province, as now occurs in most other provinces. "However, given the interprovincial conclusions regarding the cost of long-term care, our goal is to bring costs, public and private, in line with other provinces. Given the costs of Chancellor Park, we cannot enter into a longer term arrangement with the facility at this time."

The minister also reiterated government�s commitment to the provision of quality long-term care and the need for new facilities. "This government recognizes the need for new long-term care facilities in our province, however, we must also ensure that we remain fiscally responsible. That is why we are completing an expression of interest for a public private partnership for a new facility for the Corner Brook area," said Minister Smith. "This pilot project proves that the private sector can provide quality care. Any new public private arrangements must also meet our standards for care."

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2003 04 09                                       12:15 p.m.