The Ontario government has come through with 64 new beds for Fairvern Nursing Home in Huntsville.
Now the new facility will include 160 beds in a 21st Century facility built to modern standards that address issues like infection prevention and control.
The additional beds will help reduce local waitlists and improve the quality of life for seniors living in care.
Fairvern is in the process of being transferred to the District and is to be built on land donated by Pat Dubé.
The result will be a new 160-bed long-term care facility at a campus of care where multiple services are provided for residents on one site.
“I am pleased that our government was able to deliver this as part of our efforts to increase long-term care capacity and modernize the sector,” says Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller. “The board and management of Fairvern as well as Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano and District Chair John Klinck have been working hard on this for many years, as well as previous Mayor, now MP Scott Aitchison. And I want to recognize the generous donation of the land by Pat Dubé.”
“This is an exciting day for Huntsville and all residents as not only 160 long term care beds will be available in our community but this will save 100 existing jobs and also create 100 plus new jobs – It is great news,” says Terziano. (at right)
Fairvern Board Chair Dana Murdy described today as “a historic day for long term care in Muskoka.”
“The dedication of Board members present and past, along with the immense support of our community, has brought us to the announcement today that the development of the new Fairvern will be going ahead,” says Murdy. “The scope of the project is beyond what a small not for profit corporation could take on and we are thankful the District of Muskoka understands the importance of the project for the whole of Muskoka and has stepped forward to make a new Fairvern a reality. We are immensely grateful to Premier Ford, Minister Fullerton, MPP Miller and other members of the Ontario government for their commitment to addressing the need for long-term care across Ontario and here in Muskoka. Their support has been critical to enabling the new Fairvern to proceed.”
“Protecting our loved ones and ensuring they receive the care they deserve is at the centre of everything we do,” says Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton. “With this announcement, our government is taking another step towards creating a 21st-century long-term care sector that provides the highest quality of care for our most vulnerable people, where and when they need it.”
The Province is investing $1.75 billion to create 30,000 long-term care beds over 10 years. Today’s announcements bring the total number of new and upgrades spaces in the pipeline to 22,368.
(Photo of Norm Miller via Matt Sitler, Country 102)
