News Releases - 2002

May 30, 2002

Associate Minister of Health & Long-Term Care opens new 200-bed long-term care centre at West Park Healthcare Centre

Toronto - The doors to a model 200-bed long-term care centre were officially opened by Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dan Newman on Thursday, May 30th at 2:00 p.m. The new facility at West Park Healthcare Centre, 82 Buttonwood Avenue in the Jane Street and Weston Road neighbourhood, should help to relieve pressures in emergency rooms across northwestern Toronto and does so with style.

The new building exceeds the ministry's new design standards for long-term care in many respects and has the advantage of West Park's 27-acre, fully accessible park-like setting.

"With the construction of 20,000 new beds around the province, the government has made a commitment to ensure we will be able to care for our aging population," said Dan Newman, Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "Today I'm pleased to be here and support another example of this commitment becoming a reality."

West Park's long-term care centre provides care closer to home for families living in northwest Toronto. It meets an urgent need for long-term care in our community.

"Our facility has provided a new home for the elderly of our community who are no longer able to live independently, and for younger adults whose medical conditions require assistance to carry out the activities of daily living," said Colin Graham, chair of West Park Healthcare Centre's Board of Directors. "It is a safe haven where residents can be expertly cared for, develop new friendships and establish a strong new sense of community."

The new long-term care centre features 120 private rooms and 40 shared rooms. Bedrooms are larger than the ministry standards to enable residents more privacy and room for belongings. Rooms are grouped in home areas of 20 residents, rather than the standard 32. Each home area has its own cozy fireplace lounge, separate dining room where residents have their choice of meals, "spa" shower and bathing room and activity area. Kitchen facilities are available to visiting family members at all times to prepare residents' favourite foods and snacks. And 80 residents have direct access to the centre's beautifully landscaped courtyards.

The centre features an enclosed central courtyard and two rooftop gardens, as well as having access to West Park's leafy, wheelchair-accessible grounds. Funding for the centre's construction has been provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and by donors to West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation's Raising the Bar Campaign.

"If you haven't already pledged your support to this campaign, I'm sure that the tour of this wonderful new centre will convince you that West Park is worthy of your support. I ask that you join with us to help West Park continue to 'raise the bar' on rehabilitation, complex continuing and long-term care services in our community," said Tony Viner, president and CEO of Rogers Media Inc. and chair of the campaign.

Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dan Newman (second from right) cuts the ribbon to officially open West Park Healthcare Centre's new long-term care centre. Joining Minister Newman are (L-R): Tamara Christie, long-term care centre executive director; John Reeve, resident; Shelly Jamieson, president of Extendicare (Canada) Inc.; David Reeve with his mother Margaret; Stuart Reynolds, chair of West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation's Board of Directors; Tony Viner, chair of the foundation's Raising the Bar Campaign; Barry Monaghan, president and CEO of West Park Healthcare Centre; and Colin Graham, chair of West Park's Board of Directors.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Fawcett, Director, Public Relations
Phone: (416) 243-3730
Email: sandra.fawcett@westpark.org