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The Deep River and District Hospital’s Long-Term Care Development Project has entered the exciting stage of public consultation, as the project continues its progress towards final approval from the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC). Once approved, the project will see a 96-bed Long-Term Care Home built next to the hospital, expanding the health campus.
“We are excited to begin public consultation for this project,” stated Janna Hotson, President and CEO. “This public consultation gives our community the opportunity to provide their support for this important project directly to the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Expanding our campus of care in Deep River will support more members of our community and families to remain close to home during their later years, provide economic benefits and additional employment opportunities, as well as grow supports for our community as a whole far into the future."
As part of the project’s review and approval process, the Ministry has begun a 30-day public consultation. The Deep River and District Hospital would like to thank our community for the outstanding support received for the project to date, and invites participation in the public consultation process by providing comments and feedback between now and February 3, 2022.
Public consultation is an important element of the Deep River and District Hospital’s Long-Term Care Development Project and allows a venue for stakeholders and community members to express their excitement and support for the project.
The Deep River and District Hospital’s Long-Term Care Development proposal involves:
- the self-funded upgrade of the existing 10 "New" beds at the Home’s current location;
- the development of 86 additional LTC beds allocated by the Ministry of Long-Term Care (the “ministry”) to be included in the proposed 96-bed development project, subject to meeting all licensing requirements under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (the “Act”); and
- the issuance of a new LTC licence for a new 96-bed LTC home with a term of up to 30 years.
Benefits of the Long-Term Care Development Project for our community are far-reaching. The project will not only impact health service access and equity for our area, but will also have significant impacts on our local communities for years to come, given the anticipated issuance of a 30 year license to operate the new home.
The expansion of operations on the health campus will require a significant increase in the local workforce, approximately doubling the current workforce at the Deep River and District Hospital, resulting in expanded and sustained employment opportunities. The increased number and variety of career opportunities will result in increased attraction for relocation or retaining of individuals in the area - and could bring families to attend our schools, spouses to work in local businesses, and millions of dollars in wages earned spent back into our local economy. The increased local employment will drive demand for child care, schools, local services, spousal employment and housing.
The new home is planned to be located on land owned by the Deep River and District Hospital, between the existing health campus and the County of Renfrew Deep River paramedic base. The new home will be in close proximity to the hospital and family health team, enabling ease of access and flow, as well as integration of services between multiple sectors of our local healthcare organization.
While the project will be predominantly funded through the Ministry of Long-Term Care, a $1 million fundraising campaign is being launched to support customizing the home to suit our community and to allow more funds to be used for resident care. Please visit www.drdh.org for more information on how to contribute towards the new Long-Term Care Home.
Submissions to the Ministry are welcomed in writing from now until February 3, 2022, and can be sent via email to LTCHomes.Licensing@ontario.ca, or by mail to Director under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, Ministry of Long-Term Care, Capital Planning Branch, 438 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2K8.
Please include the Four Seasons Lodge home name and quote Project #22-035 on all written submissions. As part of the MLTC’s review, the Director will consider all written and oral submissions before making a final decision relating to the proposal.
More details regarding the consultation are posted on the Long-Term Care Consultation Registry located at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-long-term-care-licensing-public-consultation-registry
Thank you in advance for your support in bringing the Long-Term Care Development Project one step closer to fruition, and enabling the Deep River and District Hospital to better meet the needs of our community into the future.
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