SLMHC announces long-term care bed information web portal

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) has created a new, public web portal to keep the communities they serve up to date on the status of new long term care beds announced for the health centre this spring.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced in Sioux Lookout, on May 4, SLMHC would receive 76 new long-term care beds.

These would be in addition to the 20 long-term care beds currently being operated by SLMHC at the William “Bill” George Extended Care Unit.

“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,” a media release issued by SLMHC stated.

“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,” SLMHC’s media release further shared. 

SLMHC President and CEO Heather Lee stated in the media release that discussions with the new provincial government are ongoing, “I remain in contact with ministry officials during this expected time of transition and continue to discuss the process moving forward.” 

Lee added, “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.” 

People can access the new portal at www.slmhc.on.ca/ltc.

SLMHC is urging organizations, leaders and community members to continue to voice the urgency of the project with the provincial government. 

SLMHC currently serves 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. 

The health centre informed its 20 bed extended care unit allows for one bed to every 1,500 people in the Northern Sub-Region, which they stated is well below the provincial average. The health centre informs that with the addition of 76 new beds, the ratio will improve with one bed to every 312 people. 

The health centre has had plans to build a new long-term care facility, connected to the hospital, since before the health centre opened in 2010.