WHEREAS changes in the delivery of health care in the province have resulted in the closure of long-term care facilities for the elderly and sick; AND WHEREAS the closure of these facilities has created hardship among our seniors and has impacted their ability to obtain adequate care when needed: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the Province immediately restore long-term care facilities throughout the province, sufficient to meet the needs of citizens in their communities; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these facilities be publicly funded and publicly administered.
Ministry of Health One of the Government of British Columbias Government commitments is to build 5,000 new residential care beds, assisted living units and supportive housing with home support by December 2008. That goal is on target with approximately 7,200 new and replacement beds and units already built, including more than 2,500 net-new residential care beds, assisted living units and supportive housing with home support. In 2001, many beds did not meet modern care standards. At that time, approximately ten per cent of the total residential care inventory was unsalvageable and required outright replacement and 40 per cent of care facilities required upgrading. Replacing those beds is a priority to ensure seniors with complex health conditions have homes where they can receive a high level of professional nursing care. As new facilities are built, some existing beds are decommissioned and transferred to the new facilities. The Government, through the Health Authorities, is replacing aging residential care beds with private, spacious rooms, modern amenities, proper security and new care equipment.