The Provincial Government announced today that sites in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor have been selected as the future homes of two long-term care facilities in central Newfoundland.

The new 60-bed facility in Grand Falls-Windsor will be constructed on Scott Avenue, between Valley Road and the site of the former Abitibi Consolidated mill. The 60-bed facility in Gander will be built next to the College of the North Atlantic campus and accessible via Magee Road.

In January, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued to establish a short list of private sector businesses interested in designing, building, financing and maintaining the new homes in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor. The department anticipates announcing the short list of proponents and issuing the Request for Proposals in the coming weeks.

In addition to long-term care facilities in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, a contract valued at approximately $600,000 to design a 20-bed protective care unit extension for the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre in Botwood has been awarded to Fougere Menchenton Architecture Inc. The department anticipates issuing a tender to build the extension in October.

Upwards of 200 public service employees will be required to staff the facilities. Construction for all three projects will begin in 2019, leading to more than 343 person-years of employment created and $39 million in economic activity.

As part of today’s event, the Provincial Government also announced the launch of a new primary health care reform initiative in Botwood. This involves working with frontline providers at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre to improve access to a variety of primary health care services. As part of the services that will be provided, Botwood will be the first community to introduce remote mental health services using the provincial Telehealth system. These remote mental health services will supplement Doorways, the single session walk-in clinics which are now available in Botwood and province-wide.

This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“Our government is taking significant steps towards improving access to health care. Our actions are ensuring that we are meeting demand for long-term care, transforming how mental health and addictions services are accessed, and ensuring that residents receive care in the most appropriate setting. Benefits of our work also include creating new jobs and stimulating business activity – in the central region alone we are creating 343 person-years of employment and $39 million in economic activity.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“It’s important for our government to provide infrastructure in a cost-effective manner. As we have seen through the savings with the long-term care home in Corner Brook, partnering with the business community ensures we can deliver services while balancing our fiscal responsibility.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works

“I am pleased to see the momentum continuing to build throughout our province as we move forward on these major health care initiatives. In my capacity as MHA, I am especially excited about the new 60-bed long-term care home in Gander. This will let more people remain in the community and be closer to their families. This will also help to alleviate existing pressures on the acute care system resulting in better access and better care for the people of the province.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Residents of Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding communities have long advocated for a new long-term care facility that would enable health professionals to meet the demands of our aging population and allow loved ones to stay close to their families and friends. We committed to building a new 60-bed facility and today I am delighted to see a site has been selected. This new facility will complement the quality care residents receive at Carmelite House and will greatly improve access to health care in the central region of the province.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans

“The awarding of the contract to expand the Special Care Unit of the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre will ensure that the increasing number of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in this region will receive the care they deserve in a safe, secure environment. I am also pleased that Botwood has been selected as the first community to introduce remote mental health services through the Telehealth system. Both announcements clearly demonstrate our commitment to improving access to health care in central Newfoundland.”
Jerry Dean
MHA for Exploits

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Learn More

Advancements in Health Care Infrastructure – www.tw.gov.nl.ca/publications/Health_Care_Advancements.pdf 

Provincial Government Announces New Long-Term Care Homes for Central Newfoundland – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/exec/1127n01.aspx

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL , @TW_GovNL  and @HCS_GovNL 

Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

Rod Drover
Transportation and Works
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rodneycdrover@gov.nl.ca

Emily Timmins
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 693-1292
EmilyTimmins@gov.nl.ca

Kristina George
Government Members Office
709-729-5306, 693-7488
kristinageorge@gov.nl.ca