On Friday, the Interior Health Authority confirmed plans to add 530 new residential care beds over the next two years to address growing demands of an aging society and move seniors more quickly from acute care hospital beds to community care settings. The announcement was made by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake.
In an interview with the Kelowna Daily Courier following the announcement, Mr. Lake said seniors are much better suited for a residential care facility which costs taxpayers and Interior Health $175/patient/day instead of $850 a day in the hospital. "It continues to be a challenge throughout facilities across BC."
IHA will initiate a series of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in the coming weeks for the development of 482 new beds. Contracts will be awarded this spring with completion of new beds anticipated by 2013. Here is a summary of the RFPs to expect:
- Kamloops: 125 beds
- Central Okanagan: 100 beds
- Salmon Arm: 71 beds
- South Okanagan: 66 beds
- North Okanagan: 46 beds
- Grand Forks: 40 beds
- Invermere: 34 beds
IHA will add 45 beds in existing facilities without public tender, including:
- Williams Lake: 28 beds through the reopening of Deni House
- 100 Mile House: 14 beds near completion at Fisher Place/Mill Site Lodge
- Keremeos: Three beds to open in shelled-in space at Orchard Haven
Once fully developed these measures represent an annual investment of $31 million toward seniors' care. The IHA's Donna Lommer said Friday, "We're trying to keep pace with where we're at today and not get further behind. We know demand is on the rise."
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