As Manitoba’s population ages, it’s going to need more personal care beds — well beyond the 1,200 new spots already promised by the provincial government.
That frank assessment came from provincial Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Kelvin Goertzen, at the annual convention of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities last week in Winnipeg.
“The need is probably two or three times that in eight to 10 years,” said Goertzen, speaking at the event’s ministerial forum Wednesday.
Meeting that demand won’t be sustainable at current levels of costs and different models for providing personal care must be found, he said.
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“We will have to look at different and creative ways when it comes to personal care homes. Personal care might not take place in personal care homes,” he said.
“There will have to be different ways of looking at care beyond personal care homes.”
The minister was responding to questions from delegates about when their communities might finally see much-needed facilities built in their region. Said one delegate from Lac du Bonnet, “there is desperate need” for a facility they’ve been long awaiting there.
The Tories campaigned on the promise they would fast track construction of 1,200 new personal care home beds over eight years. The cost will be $160 million — or about $133,000 per bed.
“That is an impressive target to meet, a challenge to meet,” Goertzen said, adding they are currently reviewing both existing submissions and taking new requests.
Government will be looking for efficiencies to operate these facilities while also needing partnerships and help from municipalities to deliver on this, he said.
Health-care review begins
Last week the Manitoba government announced a Health Care Sustainability and Innovation Review seeking public input through surveys on how to improve the long-term sustainability of Manitoba’s overall health-care system.
“We want input from Manitobans on how health-care spending should be prioritized, what ideas should be pursued and what concerns should be addressed,” Goertzen said in the news release.
“Right now, the costs of the health-care system are not sustainable and we want to hear from Manitobans about what we can do better.
“We are asking Manitobans for their ideas on how we can make the right choices to be more efficient, implement cost-effective new ideas and ensure quality care is available for many years to come.”
The survey feedback will be used to inform the recommendations of the review, the minister said. An initial report is expected by the end of January 2017 with a final report in spring to provide recommendations with implementation plans, timelines and estimates of the projected savings.
To take the survey, visit www.gov.mb.ca./health/haveyoursay.
