Plan for more long-term care beds won't happen before election

The Newfoundland and Labrador government's plan to add 360 new long-term care beds in the provinceis going to take longerto complete and won't happen before the Nov.30 election.

The government is presently evaluating proposals for new facilitiesbut isextending the process by three months into January.Health MinisterSteve Kent said Monday, in a release, that they are taking more time toto ensure the jobgets done right.

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"Engaging private and non-profit providers for the provision of long-term care services is an innovative and sustainable solution for our province," said Kent in the statement.

"While we had hoped to complete the process in October, recognizing the complexity of this initiative we have identified the need to extend the timelines to make sure that it is done right and that the option we choose has the best value for the people of the province."

The plan wouldsee the addition of 120 new beds in Corner Brook, 120 between Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander, and 120 new beds on the northeast Avalon.

New facilitiesto house the 360 new bedswill be constructed, owned and operated privately.

The new beds would beintegrated into the existing long-term care system and operatorswill be required to meet provincial long-term care standards.

At a NAPE conventionon Friday Liberal leader DwightBall said he was open to the idea of partnerships when it comes to the construction of buildings but he believesthat health care should be delivered by public sector workers.

"We have no intentions of going in and stripping the public service," said Ball. "In this economy now we need people working."

He also cautioned the premier against signing any agreements related to public-private partnershipswith just over a month left in the current government's mandate.