There is long term care facility at the La Ronge Health Centre is set for replacement. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

long term care

La Ronge to get new 80-room care facility

Jun 16, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced what it called a significant investment of more than $80 million in long-term care facilities across the province, including a replacement of La Ronge’s current facility. It is expected to be ready by 2022/23.

“We’re looking at an approximately 80-room facility: 70 long term care and 10 respite beds,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Warren Kaeding told reporters in Regina. “This facility will serve a number of communities in that north-central area of northern Saskatchewan.”

Kaeding said the move to create more capacity in La Ronge was building on a commitment made to the community five years ago.

In a media release, the government said seniors would benefit from an investment of approximately $73 million in two new long-term care facilities in La Ronge and Grenfell, which is in the south east part of the province. More than $7.2 million will be invested in 2020-21 for 82 priority renewal projects in 51 long-term care facilities across the province.

According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) website, there are 14 permanent resident beds at the La Ronge Health Centre. The long term care facility is known as Nikinan, which is Cree for “Our Home.”

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Tears of joy

Dr. Stephanie Young is a Physician Executive for Integrated Northern Health, and a family physician in La Ronge. She said today’s announcement brought tears of joy to many in the community who have tirelessly advocated for a new facility.

“It’s a welcomed and an exciting opportunity for us up here,” she told paNOW, noting the wait list for elders to get a long term care bed in La Ronge and the catchment area it serves was among the longest in the province at up to one year.

“Unfortunately, with this wait time we really haven’t been able to provide great care for our residents close to home. Many families would have to take on the care responsibilities which could be hard and tedious, or alternatively residents had to travel out of their community and the North to receive care, and this included Prince Albert and Saskatoon,” she explained.

Dr. Young added there are also cultural challenges.

” Some of our residents may not even speak English as their first language so [there are] language barriers and cultural practices weren’t available in the facilities they ended up in. Their families weren’t able to go and visit and provide the support that’s so needed when residents are needing care,” she said.

Two-year capital plan

The government said the replacement project was part of a $7.5 billion two-year capital to plan to build a strong Saskatchewan and stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery. Under the two-year capital to plan to build a strong Saskatchewan, $200 million was designated for health infrastructure including major projects and maintenance funding.

“Our government is taking action to meet the need for long-term care services in rural and northern areas,” Kaeding said. “We kept our promise to build 13 new long-term care facilities across the province, with the final facility now under construction in Meadow Lake. These new investments reaffirm our commitment to Saskatchewan seniors.”

Funding of $18.7 million was provided in the 2020-21 Budget to advance planning for large capital projects across the health system, and the provincial government gave approval to proceed with advanced planning and design on both new long-term care facilities. This includes proceeding with replacement of Grenfell Pioneer Home, with a decision on the procurement process expected this summer. A replacement of La Ronge’s current facility will mean a significant expansion in capacity and service in the region. These new investments are in addition to the $15.7 million provided in the 2020-21 Budget to continue the construction of a new 72-bed long-term care facility in Meadow Lake.

Of the $7.2 million designated to the 82 priority renewal projects in 51 long-term care facilities across the province, improvements will include: flooring and window replacements, heating and air conditioning upgrades, and water and sewer line replacement.

This is in addition to approximately $24 million available from the 2020-21 Life/Safety and Emergency Infrastructure grant to support maintenance in long-term care facilities. Local communities and industries will benefit directly from these projects and will be included in planning and construction work, the government statement said.

Editor’s note: this story was amended to include comment from Dr. Stephanie Young, a physician in La Ronge.

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panews@jpbg.ca