Health and Community Services
April 22, 2014
Long-Term Care Commitment Benefits Seniors and Families
Study Will Address Future Long-Term Care Needs in Central Newfoundland
Recognizing the changing demographics of central Newfoundland and future health care needs, the Provincial Government is moving forward with a study to examine long-term care and community support services requirements in the region. Budget 2014 Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook provides $600,000 to develop a plan to increase long-term care beds in the central Newfoundland region.
“This government recognizes that our
province is facing an increase in demand for long-term care and community
support services as our population ages and the prevalence of chronic
disease and disability increases. We know that in the next 10 years more
than 50 per cent of the population in central Newfoundland will be over age
55. Recognizing this, our government is taking a proactive approach and
planning now for future needs. We want to ensure we are prepared and have
the proper supports and services in place so our residents can continue to
receive services as close to home as possible."
- The Honourable Susan
Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services
Central Health is developing a Request for Proposals to be issued in the next several weeks to engage a consultant to complete a thorough analysis of the long-term care needs of residents in the central Newfoundland region. Based on the findings of this regional assessment, the Provincial Government will determine the planning and design requirements for future long-term care needs in the area.
“Long-term care is certainly an area where we have been
seeing an increased demand for services and it is an issue that has ripple
effects throughout the system. I am very pleased to see government make this
investment to help us better understand what our needs are so that we can
provide the best possible long-term care service in this region while also
addressing some of the issues in our acute care centres.”
- Rosemarie
Goodyear, President and Chief Executive Officer, Central Health
This year a total of $695 million will be invested for the provision of long-term care and community support services. Budget 2014 includes $61 million in new funding for long-term care and community support services throughout the province, including funding for: the continued construction of long-term care facilities in Carbonear, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. John’s; a protective care residence in Clarenville; the continuation and increased growth in the Provincial Home Support Program; the Paid Family Caregiving Home Support Option; and, to launch Community Rapid Response Teams in Grand Falls-Windsor, St. John’s and Corner Brook to provide enhanced health services and home support to seniors in their homes.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is investing $600,000 to develop a plan to increase long-term care beds in the central Newfoundland region.
- In the next 10 years more than 50 per cent of the population in central Newfoundland will be over age 55. Recognizing this, the Provincial Government is taking a proactive approach and planning now for future needs.
- Central Health is developing a Request for Proposals to be issued in the next several weeks to engage a consultant to complete a thorough analysis of the long-term care needs of residents in the central Newfoundland region.
- This year a total of $695 million will be invested for the provision of long-term care and community support services.
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Media contacts:
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-4104 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Stephanie Power Director of Corporate Communications Central Health 709-256-5532 stephanie.power@centralhealth.nl.ca |
2014 04 22 12:50 p.m.