SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The addition of more than 100 new nursing home beds will help alleviate the waiting lists in hospitals in Fredericton and Saint John.
The provincial government today announced the conversion of 108 beds originally designated as memory care beds (specialized care beds) to nursing home beds.
“Caring for seniors is a top priority for our government,” said Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers. “Converting these beds to nursing home beds will enable a portion of New Brunswick seniors to move out of hospitals and into nursing homes where they will receive more appropriate care.”
A total of 72 beds at Tucker Hall, on the Parkland Saint John campus, and an additional 36 beds at Frederick Hall, on the Parkland Fredericton campus, are being converted.
“These beds were already under construction by Shannex and they met the higher standard required for nursing homes,” said Rogers. “This provided us a solution to a pressing issue.”
Shannex has hired 20 additional staff members at its Fredericton location and is in the process of hiring 80 to 100 new employees in Saint John as a result of this initiative. The move will boost the company’s total New Brunswick workforce to more than 750 employees.
“Shannex values the trusted partnership with the Province of New Brunswick and is pleased to be considered as a solution to improve health care for New Brunswickers,” said Jason Shannon, president and chief operating officer of Shannex.
Residents are expected to move into Tucker Hall in Saint John in June. Residents moved into the Frederick Hall facility in Fredericton earlier this year.
12-05-16