45 long-term care beds planned for Corner Brook Community Health Centre

The provincial government is investing $21 million to add 45 long-term care beds at the Corner Brook Community Health Centre, with the first spaces expected to open next year.

Renovations are underway at the facility, with 15 beds expected to become available in spring 2027 and the remaining 30 expected to open in fall 2027.

Premier Tony Wakeham and Health and Community Services Minister Joedy Wall highlighted the project Thursday, saying the additional capacity will help meet growing demand for long-term care in western Newfoundland and Labrador.

The project includes renovations that will restore and reopen the facility's former commercial kitchen and personal laundry facilities while creating the 45 new long-term care spaces.

The government says the additional beds are also intended to improve patient flow at Western Memorial Regional Hospital by providing long-term care placements for patients who no longer require acute hospital care but are waiting for a placement.

That could free up hospital beds for patients who require acute-care services and reduce pressure on the Western Zone's hospital system.

However, adding physical capacity does not by itself address the staffing pressures facing the province's health-care system.

Long-term care facilities across Newfoundland and Labrador, like other parts of the health system, continue to face recruitment and retention challenges. The new beds will require sufficient health-care workers and support staff to become fully operational.