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Mayor Quaiff encouraged following meeting with Minister of Health

Mayor Robert Quaiff

Mayor Robert Quaiff

Mayor Robert Quaiff is encouraged the County is doing well in its quest for better health services.

Quaiff, and Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison shared time in a short meeting granted with Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, on Tuesday while they were attending the Ontario Good Roads Association Conference in Toronto.

“Dr. Hoskins is impressed with our Age in Place concept and says we have the right model,” said Quaiff, encouraged by the visit.

While the two municipalities shared concerns about current service cuts to their hospitals, mayor Quaiff also wanted feedback on $40 million plans for the new County hospital,  a reinstatement of the 74 long-term care beds lost with the closing of Picton Manor Nursing Home in 2012, and requested the ministry staff work with the Prince Edward Family Health Team to further develop the Age in Place concept.

“We were encouraged when he explained he was in no hurry and wanted all the information in front of him before he started making decisions on cuts,” said Quaiff. “He had an advisor who explained the process for a new hospital and noted we are doing very well. His next move will be to speak with the minister of finance as anything above $10 million needs that approval.”

Dr. Eric Hoskins

Dr. Eric Hoskins

Quaiff was optimistic about the briefing presented at the meeting, nothing the County has everything in place – Age in Place concept, Family Health Team and support of the South East LHIN and QHC.”

The County has pledged land for a new hospital and for the relocation of the Family Health Team to the site and the redevelopment of the County-owned H.J. McFarland Memorial Home long-term care facility (84 beds). Upgrading of municipal services has been initiated and phase one of a 144-unit residential seniors development is to be complete in 2016.

To remedy the shortfall of long-term care beds and ensure sustainability of the nursing home, Quaiff requested the ministry re-allocate the 74 long-term beds lost from the closing of Picton Manor in 2012, in advance of provincial upgrading requirements.

Picton Manor, on Hill Street, was Picton’s first hospital and had operated as a long-term care facility since the 1960s.

Quaiff also requested the ministry staff work collaboratively with the County Health Team to “explore opportunities to further the development of the Age in Place concept” developed in 2012 to encourage developers to build a variety of housing and health facilities in one location, allowing seniors to “age in place” with transition from fully independent living to respite care, assisted living, and fully supervised care with medical assistance.

The County’s Health Team, incorporated in 2006, has grown to include 23 family physicians, supporting 23,000 patients with more than 50 other healthcare and administrative professionals.

Quaiff noted Dr. Hoskins seemed impressed by the Age in Place concept and expressed desire to schedule a visit to the County soon.

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  1. R.Richman says:

    Can anyone tell us how much the Nautical Lands Group paid us for the land at the McFarland Home. Or is this a give away of land by our leaders?

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