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Province Delivers on 5,000-Bed Commitment

Sept. 22, 2008

FORT LANGLEY – The provincial government has met its commitment to build 5,000 net-new beds and units, Health Services Minister George Abbott announced today at the celebration of completion of Simpson Manor in Fort Langley.

“With these new beds at Simpson Manor, and others across the province, we are providing our seniors with 11,314 new and replacement beds that support their needs as they age,” said Abbott. “We exceeded our commitment with 5,322 net-new beds and units ahead of schedule, as well as introduced assisted living across the province and reduced wait times to access residential care.”

Over the next two decades, the seniors population in British Columbia will double to an estimated 1.4 million people, making more options for seniors’ housing and care a priority. While some seniors need ongoing professional nursing 24-hour care in a residential care bed, others will prefer the support provided by assisted living units.

“The Province has worked hard to provide a range of care options for B.C.’s aging population,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “With new residential care beds and new assisted living units, seniors across the province have been given more options to suit their care needs as they age."

Simpson Manor is a 96-bed residential complex care facility owned and operated by Decker Corporation in Fort Langley. Formerly Simpson Hospital, a facility dating back to the 1930s, it underwent a two-phase redevelopment that began in 2005. Demolition of the old hospital building made way for a modern two-storey residential care facility, designed to meet advanced the needs of individuals with complex care needs.

Of the 96 beds at Simpson Manor, 82 are funded by Fraser Health. Of the 5,000 net-new beds and units created across the province, Fraser Health has opened the largest portion – more than 1,600 – to address the needs of its rapidly growing communities.

“Redevelopment such as this is part of our plan to provide new and renovated residential bed stock to meet the growth in Fraser Health of people over 75 years old, now and in the near future. We know from experience that improving access to a wider range of home and community care options leads to better health outcomes for our seniors,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, Fraser Health president and chief executive officer.

With architectural design complementary of Fort Langley heritage and equipped with the latest health-care technologies, the reconstructed facility was renamed Simpson Manor to better reflect its role as a home providing the best care possible for area seniors.

“The old facility was completely replaced by a state-of-the-art residential health-care facility,” said Ingo Riesen, chief financial and operations officer for Decker Corporation. “Improvements and new technologies include advanced facility air management, in-room oxygen and suction capability, ceiling lifts accessing all areas of resident rooms, ensuites with hand-held showers, advanced resident/nurse call systems and security systems including electronic and key-carded doors.”

These new units are part of the British Columbia government’s commitment to provide 5,000 net-new residential care beds, assisted living units, and supportive housing with home support units by the end of 2008. To date, 11,314 new and replacement beds and units have been built, including 5,322 net-new beds/units. Another estimated 2,414 beds are under construction, conversion or development. By the end of 2008, the total number of net-new beds and units is expected to be 5,716, with that total increasing to 5,870 by March 2009.

A PowerPoint showing the differences between the standard of beds for seniors prior to 2001 compared to the 11,314 new and replacement beds built post-2001 can be viewed at www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=421.
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