MIRAMICHI (GNB) – Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home in Miramichi is preparing to add 30 nursing home beds to the province’s long-term care system.
“Nursing homes, and the care received there, are important pieces of the provincial long-term care sector,” said Réjean Savoie, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “A traditional build can take approximately three years. While we work to develop infrastructure for the future, we are grateful for opportunities like this one to act more quickly.”
Savoie spoke on behalf of Kathy Bockus, minister responsible for seniors.
The 30 beds were previously approved by Social Development as part of the 2018-2023 Nursing Home Plan. This is in addition to the two 18-bed licences granted for memory care beds and generalist care beds in the same building.
“We are confident that this opportunity will help decrease the number of alternative level of care patients waiting in hospital, and provide more people in the Miramichi community with access to nursing home care,” said Mike Kingston, the nursing home’s executive director. “We thank the Department of Social Development for their dedication to the seniors in New Brunswick.”
The project is in the pre-licensing phase to ensure all facility requirements are met, including inspection by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
“I am optimistic that the beds can open this fall, provided all licensing and staffing requirements are met,” said Savoie. “The government thanks everyone who has helped move this work along, from the health-system partners, to the various inspection and safety agencies, who are all committed to ensuring safe care and services to our valued seniors in care. We could not do this without the collaboration seen across government and community.”
Once operational, the beds will be established on the third floor of the facility.
21-09-23