Fraser predicts nursing home plan in 2016.
The renovations at Mount St. Joseph's have been halted this week as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure put a stop to the work because of ongoing poor performance of the contractor, Gretzky Construction and Consulting Services Ltd of Shediac. The issue centered around the handling of asbestos that was encountered in the building during renovations. The province is now working with a bonding company to get the work completed.
The Liberal's first budget since being elected in September 2014 was thought to be somewhat tough on seniors, as they will have to pay more for nursing home care if they can afford it. Considering the shortage of nursing home beds in the province. At a recent luncheon hosted by the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, Minister Bill Fraser talked about the budget, and answered questions about it.
Ray Arseneault, an executive member with the Miramichi Evangelical Ministerial Association, has been lobbying for a new nursing home. he asked Fraser why the government didn't address nursing home bed shortages in the budget.
"Well, the previous government had a nursing home plan in place, it was a five year nursing home plan from 2011. In 2016 the new nursing home plan will be unveiled by our government, this is something I have
been advocating for, for many many years," Fraser said.
"I have very personal interest in this as well. My mother was a residence at the Miramichi seniors home for about 9 years when she passed away about 2 years ago in that home, and I had an aunt who spent close to 8 years at Mount Saint Joseph. So, I fully understand the situation at both homes."
"There’s no bigger priority then getting those homes upgraded or replaced, whatever is the best outcome is for our community. We definitely do need a new nursing home, we definitely do need new beds. I am committed to that, I know my colleagues are committed to that as well."
Fraser is still unhappy witht he previous government's decision to scrap the new home idea, in favour of renovations at Mount St. Joseph, though the home needed it. "It is unfortunate, previous administration made a decision to cancel a new home that was suppose to be contructed to replace the mount, and they made the choice to go through with renovations 2 years after that. This is the process that we are dealing with."
"I wish I could that we could build a new home tomorrow, but ah, this is the process we have to go through. I can ensure everyone today we are working very hard and as I outlined in my speaking notes, we’ve had all of our colleagues, most of our colleagues have been here, " Fraser said. He listed the people who he brought to tou
The renovations at Mount St. Joseph's have been halted this week as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure put a stop to the work because of ongoing poor performance of the contractor, Gretzky Construction and Consulting Services Ltd of Shediac. The issue centered around the handling of asbestos that was encountered in the building during renovations. The province is now working with a bonding company to get the work completed.
The Liberal's first budget since being elected in September 2014 was thought to be somewhat tough on seniors, as they will have to pay more for nursing home care if they can afford it. Considering the shortage of nursing home beds in the province. At a recent luncheon hosted by the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, Minister Bill Fraser talked about the budget, and answered questions about it.
Ray Arseneault, an executive member with the Miramichi Evangelical Ministerial Association, has been lobbying for a new nursing home. he asked Fraser why the government didn't address nursing home bed shortages in the budget.
"Well, the previous government had a nursing home plan in place, it was a five year nursing home plan from 2011. In 2016 the new nursing home plan will be unveiled by our government, this is something I have been advocating for, for many many years," Fraser said.
"I have very personal interest in this as well. My mother was a residence at the Miramichi seniors home for about 9 years when she passed away about 2 years ago in that home, and I had an aunt who spent close to 8 years at Mount Saint Joseph. So, I fully understand the situation at both homes."
"There’s no bigger priority then getting those homes upgraded or replaced, whatever is the best outcome is for our community. We definitely do need a new nursing home, we definitely do need new beds. I am committed to that, I know my colleagues are committed to that as well."
Fraser is still unhappy with the previous government's decision to scrap plans for a new home, in favour of renovations at Mount St. Joseph. The renovations was to make the home safer, and extend its life by ten years. "It is unfortunate, previous administration made a decision to cancel a new home that was supposed to be constructed to replace the mount, and they made the choice to go through with renovations 2 years after that. This is the process that we are dealing with."
"I wish I could that we could build a new home tomorrow, but ah, this is the process we have to go through. I can ensure everyone today we are working very hard and as I outlined in my speaking notes, we’ve had all of our colleagues, most of our colleagues have been here, " Fraser said. He listed the people who he brought to tour the nursing home.
"Our Premier has been here, prior to becoming the premier when he was the leader of the opposition. He was in and toured the nursing homes with me, our minister of health has been here recently, our Minister of Social Development has been here recently, and every opportunity I have for one my colleagues to come and tour Mount Saint Joseph and Miramichi seniors and the hospital, I make sure that I take that opportunity because it is a priority."
"I know that we will have a positive outcome, but we have a process that we have to go through, and we are working through that process."
r the nursing home.
"Our Premier has been here, prior to becoming the premier when he was the leader of the opposition. He was in and toured the nursing homes with me, our minister of health has been here recently, our Minister of Social Development has been here recently, and every opportunity I have for one my colleagues to come and tour Mount Saint Joseph and Miramichi seniors and the hospital, I make sure that I take that opportunity because it is a priority."
"I know that we will have a positive outcome, but we have a process that we have to go through, and we are working through that process."
