More seniors, so why no more beds? Greens ask

The P.E.I. government is not taking demographics into consideration in its plans for long-term care, says leader of the Green Party.

In the legislature Thursday, Peter Bevan-Baker pointed out that the number of seniors in Kings County has increased 24 per cent in the last decade, and yet the province hasn't increased the number of beds it plans for the new Riverview Manor in Montague.

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"Given the aging population in Kings County, why is the planned replacement for the Riverview Manor, already twice delayed, the same size as the existing facility?" he asked.

Working on strategy

Health Minister Robert Henderson saidit's unfortunate the construction of the Riverview Manor has been delayed until next year, but confirmed the number of beds will be the same.

Henderson said the province is working on a long-term care strategy. He said there has been a 15 per cent increase in long-term care beds in the province since 2007, and more could be added.

"Things we're going to be looking at are the potential for more beds that will be distributed across the province, the situation of how we assess long-term care and we'll try to be developing that as we move forward," he said.

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