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Private care use comes under fire

Health Minister Jerome Kennedy says government is being wise by using a St. John's private facility to take medically discharged patients.

Health Minister Jerome Kennedy is defending the Newfoundland and Labrador government's decision to save money by putting hospital patients in a private St. John's institution.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael questioned Kennedy Tuesday in the legislature about why government was placing hospitalized patients waiting for beds in long-term care to Chancellor Park, a privately operated St. John's facility.

"Is putting these patients from hospitals into the costly private facility going to be the permanent solution to the insufficient number of convalescent beds in the health care system?" Michael asked.

Kennedy told the house of assembly that because it costs $1,500 a day to hold each medically discharged patient in an acute-care bed — and creates a backlog across the health-care system — government is making use of as many as 40 beds at Chancellor Park.

"Chancellor Park has room available," Kennedy told the house. "This is a very good initiative and one that will go significantly in reducing wait times."

Michael was not sold, and pointed out that government does not seem to be prepared for an escalating demand for long-term care.

"The situation is so bad that elderly parents are being brought into emergency wards because it is the fastest way for them to [get a] bed," Michael said.

Kennedy replied that government has spent $256 million in recent years on long-term care.