Consultant selected for long-term care facility in Corner Brook Premier Danny Williams, along
with Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and John Ottenheimer,
Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the selection of
a consultant to carry out preliminary site assessments for the planned
long-term care facility in Corner Brook.
The Corner Brook branch of the
consulting firm SGE Acres Limited has been selected by government to carry
out a preliminary assessment of potential sites.
"The construction of this
facility was a commitment made by our government, and we are pleased today
to announce this step in a process which will see the realization of our
commitment," said Premier Williams. "Our government recognizes the
need for this facility for our seniors in the Western region and to that
end, the 2004-05 provincial budget allocated $300,000 to begin planning of
this structure. We look forward to hearing back from the consultants and to
moving forward on this very important health-care initiative."
"A project of this
magnitude requires time to appropriately plan and construct," said
Minister Rideout. "There are several possible sites that could
accommodate this facility. In the coming months the consultant will do a
preliminary assessment of these sites and early in the new year, government
will issue a request for proposals for the prime consultant. The prime
consultant will then carry out a design of the facility."
"Once complete, this new
home will provide appropriate residential accommodations for seniors with
high care needs and persons suffering from dementia," said Minister
Ottenheimer. "Our government has acknowledged the need to address
challenges with long term care in Newfoundland and Labrador. The long-term
care facility is a much needed project and a major step forward in
government�s initiatives in health care for our seniors."
MHA for Humber East Tom Marshall
said he is pleased to see this project move forward. "This initiative,
together with the installation of the new MRI machine at Western Memorial
Regional Hospital, the ongoing renovations to Monaghan Hall and the VON
Palliative Care Pilot Project, are indicative of government�s response to
the health care priorities of western Newfoundland."
It is anticipated that the site
chosen will be announced in early 2005.
Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of
the Premier, (709) 729-3960 or (709) 690-5500 2004 12 23 3:20 p.m. |
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