Bruce County’s Homes Committee has agreed to let up to 67 thousand dollars worth of medical supplies be purchased for pandemic preparedness at the county’s two long-term care facilities.
The amount is an estimate based on current prices.
Over 39 thousand dollars in supplies is for Brucelea Haven in Walkerton and over 27 thousand is for Gateway Haven in Wiarton.
The cost is expected to create a deficit for each home’s budget, but staff reports don’t state how much that could be.
The supplies are meant to be used in the event that H1N1 severely impacts residents at the two facilities.
The items include masks, gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
Warden Bill Goetz says it’s important to be prepared, but he’s concerned they’re ‘jumping the gun’.
He says a pandemic does not mean there’s a serious catastrophe, but simply that a particular disease is present worldwide.
Brucelea Haven Administrator Eleanor MacEwen acknowledges the cost is significant, but says the cost of not having the supplies could be more harmful.
She says it’s a proactive step in case H1N1 seriously affects the community.
MacEwen says having a good stock of supplies allows them to protect residents and staff and keep the homes operating.