A home has been chosen for Whitehorse’s next big continuing care facility.
The Health Department announced yesterday that the new facility will be built in Whistle Bend by 2018.
The initial phase will be for 150 beds, with the second phase of an additional 150 beds to begin immediately after completion.
The contract has been awarded to the British Columbia crown corporation, Partnerships BC.
The decision to go with Whistle Bend was made after considering several sites around the city, Health Minister Doug Graham said in a statement.
“We recognize the pressing need for more continuing care beds. This is a need that won’t go away in the near future and we are doing everything possible to ensure that this facility is ready in a timely fashion.”
In the same announcement, Graham said two new beds were opened at the Thompson Centre.
Patients will move into these beds from Whitehorse General Hospital.
Right now, continuing care patients are being kept in acute care beds at Whitehorse General Hospital.
Officials with the hospital have said that about one-third of the 55 hospital beds at Whitehorse General Hospital are typically used as continuing care.
Contact Ashley Joannou at
ashleyj@yukon-news.com