| 160 MORE LONG-TERM CARE BEDS IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO
KITCHENER – Health and Long-Term Care Minister Tony Clement today took part in the ground breaking ceremony for 160 new long-term care beds at The Westmount, the new RegencyCare long-term care facility in Kitchener.
“It's an honour to participate in the ground breaking for RegencyCare's new long-term care centre,” said Clement. “RegencyCare is a perfect example of this government's commitment to providing Ontario seniors with quality health care.”
Construction has already begun, and will be completed in late 2002. The centre is one of many facilities in the Kitchener-Waterloo area under construction.
The development of The Westmount facility is part of the government's $1.2 billion investment in long-term care that includes the construction of 20,000 new long-term care beds and the redevelopment of some 16,000 beds in existing long-term care facilities to meet current design standards.
As a result of the 20,000 bed expansion initiative, more than 800 new long-term care beds have been allocated in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
With 285 new beds opening in the province by the end of the week, a total of 2,121 new beds will be in operation across Ontario. By next March, 6,000 new beds will have opened province-wide.
“Through my involvement on the Cabinet Health and Social Services Policy Committee, I know that these new long-term care beds are needed in our community,” said Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott. “I'm confident that the Westmount will provide excellent care for our seniors.”
“The new beds we are launching today have been designed with high standards which will help provide quality care for our seniors,” added Clement. “Residents will live in modern, home-like surroundings.”
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Media inquiries:
Gord Haugh, (416) 326-3985
Minister's Office
Anne Matthews, (416) 327-4382
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Toll-free media line: 1-888-414-4774
For further public information: (416) 327-4327 or 1-800-268-1154
This news release is available on our website at: http://www.gov.on.ca/health/
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Att: Backgrounder
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