Health and Community Services
March 29, 2010

In Budget 2010, the Williams Government will invest approximately $60 million to improve services and enhance supports across the province with the goal of a revitalized and strengthened long-term care and community supports services system.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has an aging population and our government acknowledges the need to strengthen our province's long-term care and community support systems," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Budget 2010 recognizes the need for continued investment in long-term care facilities and provides the financial and human resources that are essential to the sustainability of long-term health care throughout this province."

Investing in Long-Term Care Infrastructure
Budget 2010 includes investments to significantly advance the development of two new long-term care facilities in St. John's and a new facility in Carbonear. The long-term care facilities in St. John's will be located on the site of the old Janeway Apartments in Pleasantville and will accommodate 460 residents. Budget 2010 provides $27.3 million for the continuation of the project.

Through an initial investment of $4 million, construction will begin on a new 250-bed long-term care facility in Carbonear. Preliminary site work is anticipated to commence in 2010 on the current Carbonear General Hospital site. The project also includes the redevelopment of ambulatory care for the Carbonear General Hospital.

Budget 2010 will see an investment of $3 million to finish construction of the Corner Brook long-term care facility. Construction began in 2007 and work on the interior of the building is underway, with occupancy expected in June 2010. The new 236-bed facility will complement four protective community bungalows which are already completed and occupied. The Provincial Government's total investment in both the long-term care facility and protective community bungalows in Corner Brook is $68.5 million.

The Provincial Government will invest $8 million to start construction of a new long-term care facility in Lewisporte, as well as $2.1 million to finalize the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The completion of the facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will provide an important enhancement to the long-term care services available for the residents of Labrador.

Budget 2010 provides an investment of $1.7 million for a new protective care community residence in Bonavista with specialized care and accommodations for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. This new building will accommodate 12 residents.

Additionally, approximately $115,000 will be invested in Budget 2010 to expand nurse practitioner services in Burin to provide care to residents living in long-term care facilities. The nurse practitioner will ensure timely access to medical care, continuity of care for residents and more efficient use of physician expertise and time.

Enhancing Home Support and Personal Care/Community Care
An investment of $8.9 million in Budget 2010 will allow for an increase in the home support hourly subsidy rate by an additional 75 cents on July 1, 2010. The Provincial Home Support program provides support to seniors, adults and children who require assistance to remain independent and in their homes.

Through an investment of $3.2 million, the personal care home subsidy rate will increase and the number of portable subsidies will expand to respond to the current personal care home waitlist. Effective April 1, 2010, the personal care home subsidy rate will increase by $73 to $1,717 from $1,644, and 100 new portable subsidies will be introduced into the sector.

"These new initiatives continue to acknowledge the important role that home support workers and personal care homes play in our health and community services system," said Minister Kennedy. "We see these investments as an important step in enhancing the quality of life for residents living in personal care homes or receiving home support services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

In addition to these investments, the Williams Government recognizes the importance of putting in place effective assessment tools to match individuals with appropriate support and services. Budget 2010 includes almost $1.5 million to support the continued implementation of the InterRAI suite of assessment tools for long-term care and home care clients in the province. The assessment tools ensure individuals receive the best possible care by identifying the supports required by individuals to remain independent and safe while living in the community or by determining appropriate placement options if needed.

"Providing proper, person-centered care depends upon professionals having access to the best assessment tools possible," said Minister Kennedy. "Continued support for the implementation of both the nursing home and home care tools will reap major benefits, in terms of quality care and sustainability of the system by ensuring individuals are receiving the levels of care and support that best meet their needs."

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