A petition signed by 332 residents in Kinngait lobbying for an elders' care centre to be established in the community won't get support from the Department of Health, Minister George Hickes announced on Wednesday.
NNSL file photo
"The Government of Nunavut, at this time, does not endorse renovating or repurposing old buildings to be used as long-term care facilities. This is to ensure the health and safety of seniors residing in the facility, adherence to building standards for long-term care facilities, and to be able to provide the level of services required for Nunavummiut living with complex health care needs such as dementia," Hickes said in the legislative assembly.
Kugluktuk was also recently denied a long-term care facility despite investing years in developing a plan to finance, construct and staff it. Instead, a long-term care centre for the Kitikmeot region will be built in Cambridge Bay.
Hickes explained that the GN – in consultation with Partnerships BC, which specializes in infrastructure needs – has determined that the best approach is to place one long-term care facility in each regional hub: Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. The latter will provide a higher level of care, including for patients with dementia, because the facility will be close to the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital.
"Again, I want to thank the community of Kinngait for taking the time to communicate their community’s view on this important topic," said Hickes.