NEWS RELEASE
ROSS ROMANO, MPP FOR SAULT STE. MARIE
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Today, Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie was at the Mauno Kaihla Koti long-term care home on behalf of the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, to announce that funding has been approved for the development of 68 new long-term care beds and the redevelopment of 60 existing beds in Sault Ste. Marie.
Funding approval for the 68 new and 60 redeveloped beds at Mauno Kaihla Koti is the next step toward getting shovels in the ground and getting beds built. These beds will help take pressure off hospitals, allow doctors and nurses to work more efficiently and provide better, faster health care for patients and their families in Sault Ste. Marie and across Northern Ontario.
“Creating new and redeveloping older long-term care beds in the North is key to ensuring more seniors get the support and high-quality care they need close to home,” said Romano. “That is why our government made a commitment to making significant investments into long-term care beds across the province. I am proud to say that as of today, our government has funded a total of 344 new and redeveloped long-term care beds in the Sault.”
Currently, too many Ontarians are unable to access the long-term care they need, when they need it – and the level of care when they do receive it - is not always appropriate. That is why the government is investing $1.75 billion to create 15,000 new long-term care beds and redevelop an additional 15,000 older long-term care beds to modern design standards.
“We all have a family member, a loved one or friend who has needed long-term care, and many of us will one day need it ourselves. We will all be touched by it in some way,” said Minister Fullerton. “That is why our government is creating a 21st century long-term care system that is resident-centred and builds the capacity we need for residents and caregivers across Ontario.
“Next year will mark 30 years of providing excellence in care to residents at Mauno Kaihla Koti (MKK),” said Paul Belair, CEO of the Ontario Finish Resthome Association. “As we move toward the next 30 years, we look forward to seeing the impact the additional longterm care beds will have on the local health system vis-à-vis the needs of its citizens. This project represents the combined commitment of the Ontario Government and the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association to build the long-term care sector in Sault-Algoma to levels that will meet those needs, which we know are on the rise, particularly in the North. On behalf of the Board, Management, staff and residents of the Finnish Resthome, we thank the government of Ontario for this investment into a healthier future."
The government is continuing to work with our partners in the long-term care sector to ensure the system is responsive to the needs of Ontarians by increasing access and reducing waitlists, while also maintaining patient safety and ensuring high standards of care.
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