Interior getting 495 new long-term care beds

News Release

Victoria
Monday, July 13, 2020
The  Province and Interior Health are helping to meet the needs of the growing seniors’ population with the largest one-time increase in long-term care beds in the region in over 15 years.

The addition of 495 long-term care beds will ensure seniors can continue to receive care where they live, as well as providing more opportunities for jobs in health care.

“COVID-19 has shown what we can achieve together,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The investments we made to raise care standards across B.C. made an important difference when we were met with COVID-19.

“The plan we are setting in motion today for nearly 500 beds is what people in the region need. This historical investment is a commitment to seniors living in Interior communities, an assurance that care close to home will be available, when they need it.”

There are 140 beds being planned for the Central Okanagan in Kelowna, 100 in Kamloops, 90 in Vernon, 90 in Penticton and 75 in Nelson. The exact location of the beds will be determined through the competitive bid process.

Once open, the number of publicly funded long-term care beds available in the Interior Health region will increase by nearly 10%, rising to 6,550.

To read the full news release, click on: Interior getting 495 new long-term care beds