MOHLTC - News Release - McGuinty Government Increases Access to Long-Term Care Beds for Guelph Residents

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McGuinty Government Increases Access to Long-Term Care Beds for Guelph Residents

New Beds Will Bring 192 Jobs To The Region

August 23, 2007

GUELPH – The McGuinty government is awarding a total of 288 new long-term care home beds in Guelph to increase access to quality long-term care health services, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"Our government is working hard to meet the needs of communities that are experiencing long-term care pressures," said Smitherman. "These new beds, awarded in Guelph, mean residents will have access to a higher quality of life in a new, home-like environment." The distribution of beds awarded is as follows:

Extendicare Canada Inc. - 192 beds
St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph - 96 beds

The $21.6 million investment will allow the construction of the new beds to open by the end of 2010.

"I am delighted that we are moving forward with the construction of 288 long-term care beds in Guelph," said Liz Sandals, MPP. "This will allow more Guelph seniors the opportunity to receive long-term care closer to home." "Through our community meetings we identified that services for seniors are a priority for improving health care in our area. These additional beds in Guelph will go a long way to increasing access for seniors who require this level of care," said Kathy Durst, Chair of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network. 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 media :

David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister's Office

A.G Klei, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

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

For more information on achievements in health care, visit : www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.



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