Kemptville District Hospital officials are calling the closure of its interim long-term care/convalescent care programs unit a “difficult decision.”
KDH announced Monday afternoon that they are targeting a closure date of June 30 for the unit, which is made up of 12 beds, including eight CCP beds that are occupied on a short-term basis for recovery following a significant hospital stay, and four ILTC beds that are designed to be occupied for six months or less, until a permanent LTC bed has been identified.
The unit was opened in 2006 to address a severe shortage of LTC beds in the community at that time.
However, a media release says that KDH’s mandate has always been acute care and since then, over 250 new LTC beds have been established locally, and convalescent care options have increased.
“This decision was not made lightly, but it’s time for KDH to recalibrate its services for the future,” said the hospital’s President and CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “KDH is committed to supporting current residents of the unit to find alternate placements in LTC homes of their choice. The unit will continue to operate until all residents have found appropriate placements.”
KDH staff, physicians, volunteers and partners were notified of the closure on Monday and Vassallo tells Moose FM that transition plans are in place for staff currently working in the unit.
“There will be opportunities to transition into other clinical roles here in the hospital. Some staff may choose to work in the long-term care space going forward as a career. We’ve committed to working with them to finding employment.”
A virtual public town hall meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Anyone with questions or concerns is being encouraged to attend.
