Some Northwood Nursing Home Beds to Close

The Department of Health and Northwoodcare Incorporated announced today, April 8, that 43 nursing home beds in Northwood Manor will be closed between April 9 and Nov. 1.

The closures are the result of an order made by the Office of the Fire Marshal. The physical structure of the second floor, where the beds are located, does not meet the fire regulations for facilities where people need 24-hour nursing care. Interim safety measures have been taken to allow for the closure of beds to happen over the next eight months. This is the only floor in the facility providing this high level of care.

At the same time, Northwood is also closing nine beds in another part of its Northwood Centre complex. These were originally used for respite care or temporary care, but are no longer suitable.

In preparation for the closing, Northwood has met with residents, families and staff affected to review their options. Any resident who wishes to remain a part of the Northwood community will be accommodated within Northwood Centre, a 24-hour nursing-care facility, as space becomes available. Others may choose to transfer to a different nursing home.

"We remain committed to our values and the belief that all people deserve to be treated with dignity, honesty and respect," said Lloyd Brown, president and CEO of Northwoodcare Incorporated and Northwood Homecare Limited. "We'll be working closely with residents and their families to ensure that they are aware of the options available and that they are able to exercise their right to choose what's best for them."

Because of the number of beds reopening in Capital Health this month, the Department of Health does not expect the closure of Northwoodcare's 52 beds to affect waiting lists. An average of nine people are placed into nursing homes each week in Capital Health, and that rate is not expected to change. By the end of June, 153 nursing-home beds will be reopened in the district after two years of renovations and replacements.

"If it's necessary to close nursing home beds, the timing couldn't have been better," said Cheryl Doiron, associate deputy of Health. "With replacement beds coming on stream this spring, we fully expect to be able to accommodate anyone in Northwood, in hospital, or in the community who needs nursing home care. I'm impressed that Northwood is undertaking this change with such respect shown for residents, families and staff."

While these closures are taking place, Northwood will continue to admit people requiring a lighter level of care than nursing-home level care and clients with special care needs, such as dementia. Admissions to general nursing care will be affected over the next several months while residents who wish to remain at Northwood are accommodated first.

Northwood will work with staff and the unions involved to ensure that every effort is made to place staff in other areas of the facility and to fill current vacancies from within. It's hoped that the effect on staff will be minimal. About 32 staff will be directly affected.

Northwood is the largest seniors centre providing not-for-profit long-term care, independent living, home care and community outreach in Eastern Canada. Founded in 1962, it has responded to the changing needs of older adults by offering a range of programs and services based on a philosophy that allows people to make the most of their lives.

Northwood operates four buildings in Halifax. Northwood Towers offers independent living to over 85 older adults. Northwood Manor combines both personal care and independent living. Northwood Centre is home to over 300 older adults requiring 24- hour nursing care. The Russell Street Centre operates Northwood Homecare, Lifeline and Telecare.