Residents and families of long-term-care residents in Penetanguishene should sleep a little easier tonight.
Georgian Manor Home for the Aged in Penetanguishene will receive 16 new long-term-care beds with construction expected to start this fall, as part of a $6.4 billion initiative by the province to build and upgrade new bed spaces across Ontario.
A joint announcement on Thursday was made by Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, Ministry of Long Term Care parliamentary assistant Effie Triantafilopoulos, Simcoe County Warden George Cornell and Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Leroux.
“That’s 16 new beds for residents to call home, near their family and friends,” said Triantafilopoulos. “With this addition, Georgian Manor will have a total of 162 long-term-care beds. These new beds are being built in an area where long-term-care spaces are highly needed.”
Cornell noted that the region is host to 540 seniors in four long-term-care homes.
“We are proud that our homes are accredited with exemplary standing by surveyors Accreditation Canada, and Georgian Village’s many accolades as a leading service and care hub for seniors across Simcoe County," he said.
In an effort to provide better staffing, enforcement and transparency, Triantafilopoulos added that $5 billion over four years was being committed to reach a goal of four average hours of direct care per resident per day, with $72 million over three years also being allocated to double the number of inspectors.
“This unprecedented investment will lead to more than 30,000 net new beds, and about 28,000 upgraded long-term-care beds across the province,” noted Triantafilopoulos.
According to Dunlop, her government is also investing $342 million “to add over 5,000 new upscaled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers” through this year.
Leroux said that he was “elated” by the announcement.
“This investment in long-term care is truly needed and appreciated," Leroux said. "The benefits to this community will see positive impacts for years to come, and for that we are truly grateful."
