New Long-Term Care Home Officially Opens in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Enhancing and strengthening the long-term care system remains a priority for the Provincial Government and is evident with the opening of a new long-term care home in the province. The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, officially opened the new long-term care home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today. Minister Kennedy was joined by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs; the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; and, Boyd Rowe, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health.

"As we work towards the development of a new long-term care and community support services strategy, our government has continued to invest in new long-term care facilities throughout the province where we recognized and worked to address an immediate need," said Minister Kennedy. "This beautiful new facility will provide residents with a comfortable home environment and will allow staff to continue to provide quality care with the benefit of modern amenities."

The one-level, 50-bed long-term care facility is adjacent to the Labrador Health Centre and features four wings, one of which is a 13-bed protective care unit for dementia care patients. The facility also has a chapel, which converts to a multi-purpose room, and a rehabilitation room. Residents of the Paddon Home moved into the new long-term care home on June 29, 2010.

"This is an historic day for the delivery of health care in Labrador," said Minister Hickey. "The opening of this long-term care home fulfills a commitment contained in the Northern Strategic Plan and gives firm support to the plan's health care themes of better access to programs and services and improved infrastructure."

"In the past, Aboriginal people in Labrador who required long-term care involving protective care have found themselves far removed from their communities, cultures and traditions," said Minister Pottle. "This long-term care home will enable residents to live in comfortable, more familiar surroundings closer to family and friends."

"As in other parts of the province, our population in this region is aging and our ability to meet their unique health care needs continues to grow," said Boyd Rowe. "We are very pleased that our government has also recognized this need. Through government's investment, this new building will allow us to provide quality long-term care for Labrador residents, through a modern facility, designed and equipped to provide the best care possible."

The new facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is one of several initiatives the Provincial Government is undertaking to enhance long-term care services in the province. In May 2010, the Provincial Government officially turned the sod on the site of the new Lewisporte Health Centre, which once constructed will include long-term care beds and a dementia care bungalow. In addition, a new 236-bed long-term care home in Corner Brook was officially opened in June 2010.

The Williams Government's significant investments in long-term care in Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future include $27.3 million for the continued development of two new long-term care facilities in St. John's and $4 million to start construction on a new 250-bed long-term care facility in Carbonear. Approximately $1.7 million will be invested in a new protective care community residence in Bonavista, with specialized care and accommodations for individuals with mild to moderate dementia.

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2010 07 09                                                   11:40 a.m.