MLAs mull long-term bed shortage
123 long-term care beds needed in Yellowknife by 2026; 259 in total says health minister
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, February 26, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The NWT is approaching a crisis when it comes to long-term care beds in the territory and MLAs are anxious to hear what the government intends to do about it.
The problem was exacerbated on Monday night when city councillors rejected bidding for the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
That means an athletes' village that could have been used later for some sort of housing project will not be built.
Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy pointed to some startling numbers in the legislative assembly prior to council's decision that day.
"By 2026, this government is going to be 259 beds short in long-term care ... 123 in Yellowknife," said Abernethy.
"This is a significant number. It costs us about $130,000 a bed to operate a long-term care bed in the NWT and on average anywhere from $800,000 to $1.5 million per bed to construct long-term care."
The government has a significant challenge ahead to address housing needs for seniors across the territory, Abernethy said, adding that it will take creative, outside-the-box thinking and work with partners to come up with a solution.
Abernethy said a draft plan is in the works but offered no details on what is in it or when it will be released.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green asked Abernethy directly what would become of the money that could have been spent on an athletes' village - a possible $26 million from the GNWT - had the city followed through on its Games bid.
Despite the discussions about an athletes' village, no commitment was made regarding funding.
Abernethy replied saying no money had actually been allocated into the budget for that project.
He said he has had a chance to talk with his federal counterparts about the need for funding for housing issues in the territory but said he was not provided with details on exactly how federal social infrastructure dollars are to be spent.
Abernethy said he will continue to work with the feds so applications for funding can be made and that he is open to the idea of a private company opening a long-term care facility.
However, private senior citizens' care is something Green said should be approached very cautiously.
"I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of contracting out the care of seniors to a for-profit enterprise. Seniors are so vulnerable that they could be on the losing end of that prospect," Green said.
"I appreciate he's looking at any and all solutions ... the care they need and get now at Avens is top drawer and that's (what) they should be getting in the future."
Green said Abernethy's estimate of the cost of providing the 259 beds seems high to her.
"But I take his point that in order to build and operate the facility it's going to take a lot of money," she said.
Green said she understands 40 per cent of Stanton will be made available to the GNWT once it closes and believes it could be used to house long-term care beds.
Losing NWT seniors to the south because of the lack of facilities is not just a risk, Green said, it's a reality.
She pointed out Avens blasted a hole for a foundation for a new building but work on it has since ceased.
In April, it was announced the expansion that would have included a palliative care unit and 60 long-term care beds was to be put on hold.
Yellowknifer reached out to Avens chief executive officer Stephen Jackson for comment but he was not available by press time.
