View From the Legislature

The decision for a loved one to move into a Personal Care Home (PCH) is among the most difficult decisions a family ever has to make. It marks a significant change in a person’s life and it is one that is a challenge for any family regardless of how clear the need for such care may be. The decision is made that much more difficult if it is accompanied by either a long wait for placement or if the placement is far from the home community of the individual going into care.

During my time as MLA, I have heard from many families in Steinbach and the surrounding area who have had to make the difficult decision to move a loved one to a PCH bed that is in a community far away from Steinbach. This adds significant stress to an already very difficult life experience.

Of course, it is not possible to have PCH beds in every community. There are staffing considerations as well as operational ones that mean not every community will be able to support this level of care. In the same way, not every community can support a hospital that provides the level of trauma care that a facility such as the Health Sciences Centre provides. However, as the largest city in southeast Manitoba, the City of Steinbach has had a lack of PCH beds for a number of years. When I became Health Minister, it was reported to me that the PCH bed shortage in Steinbach was among the highest in Manitoba. This is no doubt as a result of the significant growth that has happened in the City of Steinbach and the fact that there has not been a new PCH bed added to the City since the 1970s.

That is why I was particularly pleased last week to see our Premier announce that the provincial government is moving ahead with the expansion of the Rest Haven Personal Care Home in Steinbach. The number of beds will more than double and when complete, will see it become a 143 bed PCH. The project will now enter the final design stage with construction expected to begin in fall of this year.

The increase in the number of PCH beds will not only help ensure that more people can receive this care closer to home, but also alleviate some of the pressure that exists on the Bethesda Hospital. Too often individuals are being cared for at Bethesda who would best be placed in a PCH bed if one were available. The additional beds will help ensure people are getting the right care in the right place.

This is an incredibly important announcement for the residents of our region who may someday need this care. Thank you to the many people and organizations who have made this a reality including the HavenGroup Foundation, the Bethesda Foundation and their many donors, the Regional Health Authority, the City of Steinbach and many others who have advocated for this need over the years.