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

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

New Beds Will Bring 100 Jobs To The Region

August 30, 2007

SUDBURY – The McGuinty government is awarding a total of 128 new long-term care home beds in Sudbury 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 Sudbury, mean residents will have access to a higher quality of life in a new, home-like environment."

The $9.6 million investment will allow the construction of a not-for-profit 128-bed long-term care home to be opened by the end of 2010 by St. Joseph's Health Centre.

"Today's announcement is an excellent example of the great results we can achieve when we work collaboratively with our community partners and health care professionals," said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci. "While there are always challenges, our government is facing those challenges head on to find meaningful and long-lasting solutions."

"We are delighted the government is moving forward with this new investment to enrich our community and make life easier for residents," said Mathilde Gravelle Bazinet, Chair of the North East 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 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 media :

Jeff Rohrer, 416-326-8016
Minister's Office

David Jensen , 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

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



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