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Powell River to gain 21 residential care beds
Vancouver, BC – Willingdon Creek Village will have 21 more beds than its predecessor Olive Devaud as well as additional nursing staff when it opens in late March 2015.
Willingdon Creek Village is replacing Olive Devaud Residence, which was built in 1966 and not designed to meet the complex care needs of today’s residential care clients. The new facility will feature 102 beds, including a secure 17-bed Special Care Unit for residents with advanced dementia and challenging behaviours. VCH will also be able to offer several residential care best practices and new programs that will greatly enhance care for clients.
“Willingdon Creek Village is a perfect example of our focus on providing the care that British Columbians need within a community setting whenever possible,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “It is great news that with the additional beds the facility will be able to support the health of more seniors, including those with special care needs.”
The additional beds are being funded by Vancouver Coastal Health through a shift of resources from six acute care beds at Powell River General Hospital.
“On average, the hospital has 14 patients at any one time occupying hospital beds while they wait for discharge into a more appropriate care setting,” says Mike Nader, chief operating officer of VCH’s Coastal region. “By shifting resources from the hospital to Willingdon Creek, we’ll shorten waitlists for both assisted living and residential care while also improving patient flow through the system.”
But more importantly, the change will result in improved physical and mental health for elderly residents. “Staying in an acute care bed doesn’t give residents the social and recreational opportunities they need to stay physically and mentally healthy,” Nader adds. “As a health care provider, our goal is to ensure that our patients and residents receive the best care possible in the most appropriate setting.”
In addition to better matching VCH resources to patient needs, the changes will also result in an increase of almost two full-time Licensed Practical Nurse and three Registered Nurse positions.
Residents of the community interested in touring the facility before it opens are invited to attend an open house taking place on Saturday, February 21 between 11am and 3pm. The Regional Hospital District is also soliciting donations for equipment required in the new facility.
VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3.2 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Viola Kaminski, Public Affairs Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health
Phone: 604-708-5338
Cell: 604-312-1148
Email: viola.kaminski@vch.ca