Burrill: New beds and renovations in long-term care a big win

HALIFAX - NDP Leader Gary Burrill made the following statement:

“For years, people across our province have been saying that we needed more long-term care beds, and that existing facilities needed renovations. For years, the Liberal government refused to act, and, in fact, made the situation worse by cutting funding to long-term care facilities. Today’s announcement of the plans for 230 new long-term care beds, and funding for renovations at several facilities will be welcomed by families, residents and staff. The NDP is proud to have worked with families, advocates, unions and community organizations to push the Liberals to make these necessary investments. I want to thank everyone who has been pushing the government to act. Your efforts have made this investment possible. Unfortunately, this investment will not go far enough and comes too late for the families, residents and staff who had to endure the COVID-19 outbreak at Northwood. As of September last year, there were 1,429 people on the waiting list for long-term care. And even with this investment, many residents will still not have their own room or their own washroom. Residents of long-term care have made many sacrifices over the past year and we need to keep the pressure on this government for a commitment to a single room for every resident of long-term care in Nova Scotia.”