More and upgraded long-term beds as Hallowell House seeks new build

Local and provincial dignitaries join residents, local and Revara staff at Hallowell House for the announcement Friday morning.

The Ontario government is adding allocation for 31 new, and upgrading 97, beds at the Hallowell House near Picton.

Wendy Gilmour, the Senior Vice-President of Long-Term Care at Revera, which owns Hallowell House, welcomed news of the provincial investment and said the company must now find, and obtain property with the hope the new building could be ready as early as 2024 or 2025.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith was in attendance to make the announcement, but tested positive during a COVID-19 screening at Hallowell House, though he had previously tested negative, and is now isolating at home as a precaution. Adam Bramburger, Smith’s constituency assistant, made the announcement and noted Smith was asymptomatic.

“We know there is a great demand for long-term care beds in Prince Edward County and across our region now, and our aging demographics and fast-growing communities suggest the need is only going to increase,” said Smith in a news release. “Our government is taking the necessary steps to build modern beds so that people can receive the care they need closer to home.”

Including the project at Hallowell House, there are now 533 new and 395 upgraded long-term care beds in development, under construction, or completed in the area, including the following projects:

76 new and 84 upgraded beds at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home
72 new and 88 upgraded beds at Westgate Lodge
62 new and 66 upgraded beds at Village Green
128 new beds at Lennox & Addington County General Hospital
128 new beds at Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
36 new and 60 upgraded beds at Friendly Manor Nursing Home

Earlier Friday morning, Smith announced an investment of nearly $5 million to improve access to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre Belleville satellite dialysis unit. In about one year, the number of kidney dialysis stations will increase to 20, from 15. More than 70 patients currently use the Belleville unit and the expansion is to allow another 30 patients.