Ajax care home to be fast-tracked
The Ontario government is fast-tracking another long-term care home.
Premier Doug Ford announced on July 28 that the facility will be built at Lakeridge Health's Ajax Pickering Hospital site as part of the province’s Accelerated Build Pilot Program. Working with Lakeridge Health and Infrastructure Ontario, the province intends to build up to 320 new long-term care beds at the site.
The pilot program is part of the government's plan to create new long-term care beds across the province that include features such as air conditioning and private or semi-private rooms, beginning immediately. The pilot program was launched on July 21 in Mississauga.
"With our new modernized funding model and this innovative pilot program, we will get shovels in the ground faster on these critical projects and ensure more seniors get the quality care they deserve," said Ford.
Through the use of hospital lands, and a range of accelerating measures such as modular construction and rapid procurement, the government and its partners are targeting completion of the project in 2021, years faster than the traditional timeline. Lakeridge Health will work with Infrastructure Ontario to manage the day-to-day construction oversight, monitor commissioning, and report on progress.
"This project is a key step towards repairing the cracks in our long-term care system, addressing our growing waitlist, building healthier communities, and ending hallway health care," said Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton. "Our government will continue to implement innovative ideas and modern solutions to provide our vulnerable seniors with a place to call home and the care they need."
The 320 long-term care beds in Ajax are in addition to the nearly 8,000 new beds announced on July 15 through the province’s modernized funding model.