Long-Term Care Bed Contracts Awarded

Contracts have been awarded to build and operate 552 of the more than 800 new long-term care beds being added to Nova Scotia's continuing-care system by 2010.

"Building this many beds is a tremendous, but important, undertaking. We are committed to an aggressive schedule to tackle long-term care wait times and I am pleased to say that we are on track," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont. "I would like to thank those who took part in the Request for Proposal's process by submitting quality bids."

Successful proponents are now free to finalize land agreements and commence design and construction work. They have committed to complete the projects no later than March 31, 2010 and, in some cases, will open facilities in late 2009.

All new long-term care facilities will be built after the Department of Health facilities development approval process to ensure that they incorporate best practices in long-term care facility design.

The new facilities will give Nova Scotia's seniors high quality care in a home-like environment. Residents will enjoy single rooms in small households of 12 to 15 people, with a shared kitchen and living room, and have direct access to the outdoors. In addition, many of the new long-term care facilities will offer different levels of care and rooms designed specifically for couples.

Last year, the province analyzed the current and predicted long-term care needs in Nova Scotia and identified the areas in which beds are most urgently needed. Nova Scotia's procurement request for proposals process was used to ensure the competition was fair. A third-party procurement analyst ensured it adhered to accepted tender procedures.

"We are thrilled to have been successful in this process," said Thane Stevens, president of Scotia Nursing Homes. "For the last 30 years, we have been fortunate to operate a nursing home in Beaverbank and we look forward to providing more Nova Scotians with quality care in beautiful, home-like environments."

To help meet the immediate demand in long-term care, the province has fast-tracked 150 new nursing home beds across the province and six beds for acquired brain injury patients. Of these beds, 115 will be ready by January. The remaining 35 will be ready in May.

This month, an additional 49 alternate level of care beds will open across the province, 27 more will open next year.

To further relieve pressures on the system and help more Nova Scotians stay in their own homes, home-care services, including home oxygen, palliative care and peritoneal dialysis, have also been enhanced under the continuing-care strategy.

"These new long-term care beds will free up hospital beds and improve patient flow across the province. They will ensure that Nova Scotians get the right kind of care in the right place," said Mr. d'Entremont.

Combined with projects already begun, the province will have more than 1,100 new long-term care beds by 2010. Another 480 new long-term care beds will be added by 2015.

The continuing-care strategy is a $260-million, 10-year plan to enhance and expand Nova Scotia's continuing-care system. By building on community support, increasing local solutions and ensuring care options are available when and where they are needed, the strategy is creating a system that allows Nova Scotians to live well in a place they can call home.

Contracts have been awarded to Shannex Inc. and Scotia Nursing Home for new beds in 11 communities throughout the province. Following is a list indicating Nursing Home (NH) and Residential Care Facility (RCF) beds:

Annapolis Valley Health District:

• Kentville 62 beds (62 NH) Shannex
• Wolfville 50 beds (50 NH) Shannex

Cape Breton Health District:

• Sydney 36 beds (28 NH 8 RCF) Shannex

Capital Health District:

• Cole Harbour 50 beds (37 NH 13 RCF) Shannex
• Sackville 50 beds (37 NH 13 RCF) Scotia

Colchester East Hants Health District:

• Brookfield 36 beds (24 NH 12 RCF) Shannex
• Truro 60 beds (60 NH) Shannex
• Enfield 71 beds (59 NH 12 RCF) Scotia
• Debert 36 beds (24 NH 12 RCF) Shannex

Cumberland Health District:

• Amherst 36 beds (36 NH) Shannex

South Shore Health District:

• Bridgewater 65 beds (50 NH 15 RCF) Shannex