July 25, 2012
New Protective Care Residence Moving Forward in Bonavista
A contract worth approximately $1.6 million has been awarded to construct a new protective care residence in Bonavista. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today that Can-Am Platforms and Construction Ltd. was the successful bidder to develop the residence, which will provide specialized care and accommodations for individuals with dementia.
“Our government has made a commitment to the people of our province to address long-term care and to ensure we are prepared for the future as our provincial health care needs change,” said Minister Sullivan. “The protective care residence for Bonavista is an important element of long-term care infrastructure. It will provide services that allow the people of this region further opportunity to remain as close to their homes and families as possible as they receive care. Recently our government released our 10-year long-term care strategy. The new protective care residence represents another significant investment we are making to help see this strategy carried out.”
The contract is for the construction of a new protective care residence in Bonavista which will serve the residents of the Bonavista Peninsula. This residence will provide a home-like environment complete with an onsite residential style kitchen, dining facilities, laundry, lounge/recreation area, and a garden. Protective care residences provide an appropriate living environment, supported by trained staff and best practices, to meet the unique needs of individuals with dementia.
“I am very pleased to see our government make sound investments for the people of the Bonavista region,” said Glen Little, MHA for Bonavista South. “Providing more opportunities for people to receive care near their families is important to the residents and our communities. An investment in health care is an investment in our future.”
Minister Sullivan also announced today $103,000 in funding for the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre for the purchase of a blood bank refrigerator, new electric patient beds and new patient ceiling lifts.
“Initiatives such as this one are evidence-based, progressive and state-of-the-art and will offer our most vulnerable residents greater privacy and dignity,” said Vickie Kaminski, President and CEO, Eastern Health. “As we plan for the future, we are striving to develop comfortable long-term care environments that will support the needs of all the men and women we serve and provide access to the most appropriate and highest level of care possible.”
Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $2.3 million in repairs and renovations at health care facilities in Bonavista, including almost $1.3 million for a domestic hot water system replacement, roof replacement, expansion of the sprinkler system, emergency generator and nurse call system replacement at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre. This also includes $325,000 for a domestic hot water distribution system and roof repairs at Golden Heights Manor. In addition, approximately $700,000 has been invested for capital equipment to purchase such items as an x-ray machine, EKG machines, a physiological monitor system, and for the replacement of beds at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre and Golden Heights Manor.
The Provincial Government invests approximately $600 million in long-term care and community support services each year. Close to Home: A Strategy for Long-Term Care and Community Support Services, a 10-year strategy to guide and transform the delivery of long-term care in Newfoundland and Labrador, was released in June 2012 to revitalize and strengthen long-term care services throughout the province.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
|
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 TessBurke@gov.nl.ca |
|
Zelda Burt Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 Zelda.Burt@easternhealth.ca |
2012 07 25 3:20 p.m.