August 23, 2007

ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES – The McGuinty government is moving forward to strengthen health care services for First Nations by awarding a total of 64 new long-term care home beds at the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today. 

“Our government is working hard to meet the needs of people living on reserves,” said Smitherman. “This new direction and partnership with Oneida will ensure residents are consistently receiving high quality long-term care in a home like environment.” 

Today’s announcement is part of total investment of $45.6 million to develop 608 long-term beds in London. The distribution of beds awarded is as follows :

• The Homewood Corporation – 192 beds
• PeopleCare Inc. – 160 beds
• Henley Place Ltd. – 192 beds
• Oneida Nation of the Thames – 64 beds

The new beds are expected to open by the end of 2010.

“We are delighted the government is moving forward with this new investment to ensure needed long-term care beds are developed for the residents of the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN),” said Norm Gamble, Chair of the South West LHIN.

“We are committed to our elders and their families,” said Joel Abram, Acting Chief of Oneida Nation of the Thames. “Today’s announcement will help us provide a caring and comfortable environment in our own long-term care home. Our community is dedicated to this new facility and this unique partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.”

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in improving the quality of life for long-term care residents. Other initiatives include:

• Providing residents with more nutritious food by increasing the food allowance by 33.6% since July 2003
• Funding 6,100 new front-line staff, including 2,300 nurses
• Redeveloping 35,000 older long-term care beds over the next 10 years to ensure equitable access to quality long-term care home accommodation.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public :
416-327-4327, or 1-866-532-3161

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