August 29, 2007

WELLAND - The McGuinty government is awarding a total of 96 new long-term care home beds to South Niagara 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 in Welland mean residents will have access to a higher quality of life in a new, home-like environment."

The $7.2 million investment will allow the construction of a 96-bed long term care home to be opened by the end of 2010 by Specialty Care.

"We are delighted the government is moving forward with this new investment to enrich the Welland community and make life easier for residents," said Juanita Gledhill, chair of the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN. "The opportunity to remain within the community they know and be close to friends and family will certainly help maintain the quality of life of these residents."

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 daily raw food allowance to $7.00, effective September 1, 2007;
• 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

BACKGROUNDERS

Aging at Home Strategy

TRANSLATED MATERIALS

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