Health and Community Services
November 24, 2006 

Minister Clarifies Information on Corner Brook Long-term Care Facility

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, today corrected inaccurate information issued in an Opposition news release regarding government�s plans to build a new long-term care facility in Corner Brook.  Minister Osborne reiterated government�s commitment to the new facility, which is scheduled to be operational in the fall of 2009.

�Our government is committed to planning now to ensure we are prepared to respond to the needs of an aging population.  Our investment in a new long term care facility in Corner Brook is one way we are working to achieve this commitment,� said Minister Osborne.  �We have invested significantly in new long term care capital infrastructure in our province. Through effective planning and strategic investments, we will ensure that our programs are sustainable into the future.

�A news release issued today by the Opposition included a number of inaccuracies, which I feel it is incumbent on me to correct.  In particular, the news release stated that �the facility is not projected to be operational until 2010 or 2011,� when it is scheduled to be operational in the fall of 2009.  With respect to inaccuracies regarding capacity, the reality is that government has increased capacity from 188 to 236 long-term care beds.  In addition, based on a current needs assessment, four new dementia units will be constructed, for a total of 40 beds, with the capacity to construct additional units if the demand warrants it.�

To accommodate the extra capacity, an additional floor was added to the facility which extended the initial time allocated for planning, design and construction.  The additional floor also required an expanded heat recovery system which prolonged the site development process.  As a result, construction will now start at the beginning of March, as weather permits.  As a result, $6 million of the overall $16 million allocation will be spent this fiscal year, with the remaining amount to be spent over the life of the project.  There has been no decrease in the overall budget for the project.  The cost of the approved project has increased significantly, from $45.3 million to $59.6 million, in part, as a result of the expansion to the facility.

The new facility will be a four storey, �green� building in accordance with efficiency and environmental design, with a veterans� unit, protective care unit, and an alternate level of care wing.  Site preparation work is completed and detailed design will soon be finalized.  The tender for construction closes next month.

�I suggest that any member of the Opposition contact me in the future if they are seeking further details on this or any other project, since I would be more than pleased to provide them with accurate information,� said Minister Osborne.

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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2006 11 24                                        5:15 p.m.