The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that the Corner Brook Community Health Centre (formerly the Western Memorial Regional Hospital) will be the home of a new family care team to provide primary care to residents in the region. Additionally, renovations within this facility are underway to create long-term care beds and a transitional care unit for patients recovering from acute care before they return to home.
Approximately 100,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador are now connected to family care teams, a significant recommendation of Health Accord NL to increase access to primary care.
Family care teams are collaborative environments where health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals work together in the delivery of primary health care.
To date, 21 family care teams are operational in the province. More details are available in the backgrounder below.
Patients who do not have access to a primary care provider such as a family physician or a nurse practitioner can register to be seen at the family care team clinic through the Patient Connect NL website at https://patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca/ or via phone at 1-833-913-4679.
The transitional care unit (15 beds) will provide home-like, short-term care for patients recovering from acute illness while awaiting support to return home, providing appropriate care and improving the flow of patients through the health-care system. The two long-term care units (30 beds) were designed with much care and consideration, ensuring that the space reflects the long-term care philosophy to the greatest extent possible.
NL Health Services anticipates the transitional care unit and long-term care beds opening in late September.
The spaces include single bedrooms with private bathrooms, a communal dining area, open lounges, and bright, functional spaces to support comfort and dignity for patients and residents in a more home-like setting.
Recruitment is ongoing for nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, personal care attendants, allied health professionals, recreation staff and support staff. A recruitment strategy to recruit health care professionals has resulted in more than 1,300 nurses choosing to work in the province since April 2023.
This project is part of the Provincial Government’s and NL Health Services’ broader commitment to seniors’ care and appropriateness of care, aligning with recommendations from the long-term care review to deliver care in the right place at the right time.
The new space is part of government’s overall plan to reduce wait times for health services which also includes urgent care and ambulatory care spaces in the metro area, a successful recruitment plan, extended hours for services such as CT and MRI, and virtual care.
More information about the opportunities and incentives for health care professionals to work in Newfoundland and Labrador is available by visiting WorkInHealthNL.ca. More information on family care teams is available by visiting https://nlhealthservices.ca/fct/.
Quotes
“Refurbishing this space for a new family care team and new transitional care unit is another way we are increasing access to health care in western Newfoundland. The creation of the Corner Brook Community Health Centre is an example of our government’s commitment to modernize and expand access to care in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The new Corner Brook Community Health Centre is another step in the transformation of the health system to ensure we are providing the right care at the right time. These beds will reduce pressure on acute care and emergency services at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital by opening up beds for people waiting for acute care while ensuring people recovering still receive a high level of care.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services
“The addition of a new family care team at the Corner Brook Community Health Centre is a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of our community. By expanding access to primary care and adding transitional and long-term care beds right here in Corner Brook, we’re improving access to care, easing pressure on acute services and supporting a more responsive health system for the people of Western Newfoundland. It reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality care close to home.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth
MHA for Corner Brook
“The family care team, new transitional care unit and additional long-term care beds represent a collaborative milestone, demonstrating NL Health Services’ commitment to improving the patient and family experience while strengthening the health-care system in the region. We are really pleased with the progress we have made throughout the last several weeks, and we look forward to welcoming patients/residents to this newly renovated space in September.”
Teara Freake
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Western Zone, NL Health Services
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BACKGROUNDER
Family care teams are a significant recommendation of Health Accord NL to increase access to primary care for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. To date, approximately 100,000 people are connected to family care teams and 21 teams are operational through the province.
- Labrador West
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
- Northern Peninsula
- Port Aux Basques
- Stephenville-Bay St. George
- Humber Valley-White Bay
- Coast of Bays
- Lewisporte
- Baie Verte-Springdale
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Gander
- Burin
- Bonavista
- Clarenville
- Conception Bay North
- Southern Avalon
- Metro Centre in St. John’s
- John’s Centre
- John’s West
- John’s East