The city is slated to see 195 new long-term care (LTC) beds, the province announced on Tuesday.
Those beds will be split between three facilities, with the largest amount for St. Joseph's Heath Centre, stated Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-term Care.
“This is an important investment in our long-term care system,” he said during a virtual news conference. “It’s one that is long overdue.”
It’s not known what the capital cost of those beds will be, Calandra noted, though they’re part of a $6.4 billion provincial funding commitment to LTC improvements throughout Ontario.
“It is the largest investment ever made in long-term care not only in Ontario history, but in Canadian history,” he said.
One-hundred sixty beds will be added to St. Joseph's, bringing it to 400 total LTC beds.
Among those, explained president David Wormald, are 32 beds for the area’s first behavioural support transition unit.
“It’s a much-needed unit … dedicated to supporting individuals who experience expressive or responsive behaviours associated with dementia and other neurological conditions,” he said.
“This funding will allow St. Joseph’s to expand our care delivery through innovation, technology and resident and family-centred practices. We will be able to transform how residents, families and staff are experiencing long-term care.”
Also included in the announcement is 29 new beds for The Elliott Community and six for Eden House Care Facility. With these additions, The Elliot will be home to 114 LTC beds while Eden House will have 64.
“It’s much appreciated,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said of the 195 new beds. “This is a significant, significant announcement for Guelph.
“One-hundred and ninety-five families will be able to rest a little bit easier now knowing that their loved ones are cared for.”
The Elliott is Guelph’s designated LTC facility, meaning it operates with some city funding in addition to provincial dollars and donations.
“It’s not just about building beds,” said Calandra. “We can build buildings, but it is the staff, the nurses, the PSWs, the RPNs and all the other people who work within our long-term care system who turn a building into a home.”
He noted the province is committed to adding 27,000 more health care workers into the system as part of a commitment to deliver four hours of care per resident.
However, Calandra said it’s not yet known how many of those will be in Guelph.
“There is a lot of work being done to improve long-term care,” the minister said.
Renovations at The Elliot to accommodate the new beds is expected to get underway this fall, as are efforts at Eden House.
Expansion at St. Joseph’s is set to begin in spring of next year.
