Web portal for updates regarding 76 new long-term care beds

SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON—The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced the allocation of 76 new long-term care beds for the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) on May 4, 2018. Since then, a June election has ushered in a new provincial government that has been in caretaker mode, leaving any new decisions regarding this and many other government projects temporarily paused.

Nevertheless, the need for more long-term care beds continues to rise as those who require this level of care are waiting at home, in other long-term care facilities far from their own community or in hospital at SLMHC.

In March 2018, SLMHC applied to, Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors, to increase much needed long-term care capacity in the area. The Province of Ontario announced the creation of 76 new long-term care beds in addition to the 20 beds already in Sioux Lookout to help seniors receive better access to high quality, culturally appropriate care and continue to live happy and healthy lives. These new beds were part of the previous government’s commitment to build 5,000 new beds by 2022 and more than 30,000 new beds in Ontario over the next decade.

Although it was the previous Ontario government’s commitment to create the new long-term care beds in Sioux Lookout, Ontario Premier Doug Ford also promised to create these long-term care beds during his 2018 election campaign while in Sioux Lookout.

While eagerly waiting to receive word from the province, SLMHC has created a new public web portal—slmhc.on.ca/LTC—where the most recent news related to the new 96-bed long-term care facility will be accessible to anyone online.

SLMHC President and CEO Heather Lee assures that discussions with the newly minted provincial government are still ongoing. “I remain in contact with ministry officials during this expected time of transition and continue to discuss the process moving forward.”

Lee adds, “As we become aware of new developments, we will keep the public updated via a new web portal dedicated specifically to the progress of this long-term care project.”

It is important for our organizations, leaders and community members to continue to voice the urgency of this initiative with the new government.

Quick Facts:

  • There are approximately 30,000 people residing in the Northern Sub-Region including the Nishnawbe Aski Nation northern communities, the Grand Council Treaty #3 community of Lac Seul First Nation, as well as Hudson, Pickle Lake, Savant Lake, and Sioux Lookout.
  • Presently, SLMHC operates the William “Bill” George Extended Care—a 20-bed, ELDCAP facility. This allows for one bed to every 1,500 people in the Northern Sub-Region—well below the provincial average. With the addition of 76 new beds, the ratio will be much better with one bed to every 312 people.
  • SLMHC has always strived to improve the quality of life, and provide the best possible health outcomes for all people.
  • Before SLMHC opened its doors in 2010, there was already a plan in place to build long-term care facilities physically connected to the hospital.
  • In March of 2018, SLMHC submitted another application under the Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors to increase the number of long-term care ELDCAP beds in Sioux Lookout.