Sisters to Move in April

The Department of Health and the Sisters of Charity announced today that the sisters living at Mother Berchmans Centre will move to the new Shannex long-term-care facility in Clayton Park West. The move to Parkstone Place Enhanced Care is planned for April, with the exact date dependent upon the completion of construction.

"We're pleased that the Department of Health has been able to process our applications in time for us to take advantage of the beds reopening in Clayton Park this spring," said Sister Mary Louise Brink, the sisters' congregational leader. "This means that all our sisters can stay together as a group. That was very important to us."

The Shannex facility is ready to receive the sisters once their assessments are complete and the building is open. The department confirmed that the assessments are on track for completion before the sisters transfer in April. The lay residents living at Mother Berchmans Centre, who have applied to transfer to Parkstone Place, will also be able to move when the new facility is ready.

"This is the next step in a discussion that has been most co- operative," says Cheryl Doiron, associate deputy minister of Health. "What's particularly fortunate is the timing. With a significant number of beds reopening in Capital Health this April, we're confident we can satisfy the sisters' needs, the normal waiting list for nursing-home beds, as well as patients in hospital who are waiting for long-term care."

"We're pleased we have been able to accommodate the unique needs of the Sisters of Charity within our process for long-term-care placement," said Ms. Doiron, "At the same time, we continue to be fair to other Nova Scotians waiting for care and have remained fiscally responsible.