Contracts Awarded for Long-term Care Beds

Contracts have been awarded for another 95 of the more than 800 new long-term care beds being added to Nova Scotia's continuing-care system by 2010.

"Nova Scotians have told us that they want quality care for themselves and their loved ones, close to their homes, and within their communities," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont today, April 1. "These new long-term care beds will help us address the needs of Nova Scotians across the province."

Today's announcement is for the next round of additions of new beds in existing facilities. Contracts for a total of 722 new beds have now been awarded. The projects will be completed no later than March 31, 2010.

The successful facilities are subject to the Department of Health development approval process to ensure they incorporate best practices in long-term care facility design.

The province received 71 bids from 21 different organizations to build the new beds.

The distribution of the new beds is based on the province's analysis of the current and predicted long-term care needs in Nova Scotia and the areas in which beds are most urgently needed.

The new facilities will give Nova Scotia's seniors high-quality care in a home-like environment, with small households of 12 to 15 people, a shared kitchen and living room, and direct access to the outdoors. Another feature of these new facilities is that it they will offer different levels of care and have rooms designed specifically for couples.

"Besides the direct benefit to the quality of care for Nova Scotians, once operational, these beds will go a long way towards reducing wait times and improving Nova Scotians' access to healthcare," said Mr. d'Entremont.

As part of its 10-year, $260-million continuing-care strategy, the province will add more than 1,320 new long-term care beds by 2015.

Following is a list of the new Nursing Home (NH) and Residential Care Facility (RCF) beds that will be added:

Guysborough Antigonish Health District:

• Antigonish, 28 NH beds, R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home
• Port Hawkesbury, 6 NH beds, 6 RCF beds, Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home

Capital Health District:

• Sheet Harbour, 6 RCF beds, Duncan MacMillan Home for the Aged Cape Breton Health District:
• New Waterford, 13 RCF beds, Maple Hills Manor

South Shore Health District:

• New Germany, 10 NH beds, Rosedale Home for Special Care
• Lunenburg, 8 NH beds, 6 RCF beds, Harbourview Manor

Annapolis Valley Health District:

• Annapolis Royal, 12 RCF beds, Annapolis Royal Nursing Home Ltd.