Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced this morning at Cassellholme that the province will fund an additional 24 new long-term care beds while building a new long-term care facility, to modern design standards.
The expansion will include an upgrade to the 240 existing beds at the Olive Street facility.
The announcement came at Cassellholme this morning at a press conference. Fedeli says the expansion is not a new idea but he is glad to see it finally getting into motion today.
"When Peter Chirico was deputy mayor and I was mayor, the architectural drawings were done and paid for so I have not been a mayor for a long time," recalled Fedeli.
"It has been about a dozen years and a lot of promises that have been made over the past and this time we will see shovels in the ground."
This project, when complete, will include a 16-bed provincial Indigenous unit and two, 12-bed units dedicated for specialized dementia care. The new long-term care bed allocations in North Bay are part of the government’s commitment to add 15,000 long-term care beds in five years.
Jamie Lowery Chief Executive Officer at Cassellholme, says the layout and the design are going to improve the care.
"Rooms are bigger, washrooms are larger," he said.
"There are more private rooms so you can minimize the amount of infection control issues. I think there will be a lot more room for activities for residents.
Lowery says the facility itself will be more outward facing and with that expansion he estimates that will mean an additional 50 to 60 jobs.
The project will is expected to go to tender in November with groundbreaking set for April or May.
"After first being promised by the previous government nine long years ago, it is our government under Premier Ford that is finally delivering this important project for the people of Nipissing,” added Fedeli.
This project, when complete, will include a 16-bed provincial Indigenous unit and two, 12-bed units dedicated for specialized dementia care.
The new long-term care bed allocations in North Bay are part of the government’s commitment to add 15,000 long-term care beds in five years. These new beds will help take the pressure off hospitals, allow doctors and nurses to work more efficiently, and provide better, faster health care for Ontario families and patients, according to a news release.
