Health and Community Services
Transportation and Works
October 26, 2015

Building Strong and Healthy Communities

Provincial Government Provides Update on RFP for Long Term Care

The Provincial Government is actively involved in the evaluation phase of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the provision of 360 new long-term care beds on the island portion of the province. To complete this process, a three month extension to the RFP validity period has been received from the proponents.

"Engaging private and non-profit providers for the provision of long-term care services is an innovative and sustainable solution for our province. While we had hoped to complete the process in October, recognizing the complexity of this initiative we have identified the need to extend the timelines to make sure that it is done right and that the option we choose has the best value for the people of the province."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

Several experienced providers have responded to the RFP with viable, thorough proposals to build and privately operate new long term care facilities in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor area, Gander area, and on the Northeast Avalon. The validity period for the initial proposal call is sixty days, and with the three month extension, it will now conclude at the end of January. The completion of the evaluation process and awarding of the contract will result in facilities that are fully integrated into the existing long-term care system. Operators of the facilities will be required to meet provincial long-term care standards.

"The analysis of the proposals that were received indicates good value to continue to move toward engaging with private and non-profit providers. The extension will allow for further analysis and for the provision of the due diligence that we know the people of the province want and expect."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

This initiative further advances the work outlined in Close to Home: A Strategy for Long-Term Care and Community Support Services. Budget 2015 supports this strategy as well through an investment of approximately $700 million in long-term care and community support services, including home support and personal care homes.

QUICK FACTS

• A three month extension has been received on the Request for Proposals for the provision of 360 new long-term care beds on the island portion of the province.
• The validity period for the initial proposal call is sixty days, and with the three month extension, will now end at the end of January.
• The new long term care facilities will be constructed, owned and operated privately and will be fully integrated into the existing long-term care system with operators being required to meet provincial long-term care standards.
• This initiative further advances the work outlined in Close to Home: A Strategy for Long-Term Care and Community Support Services. Budget 2015 supports this strategy as well through an investment of approximately $700 million in long-term care and community support services, including home support and personal care homes.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2015 10 26                              2:45 p.m.