Prince Edward Island’s government has recently made significant investments in adding new long-term care beds. The province has allocated substantial funds this year to support the construction of privately operated long-term care facilities. Plans are underway to introduce nearly 400 new beds in the upcoming years, with a target of 1,700 beds by 2029. However, there is uncertainty regarding whether these additions will be sufficient.
According to a statement from the province, long-term care bed projections developed in 2024 are being updated to consider the latest available data from the 2026 census and demographic information, as well as the evolving programs and services for Islanders as they age.
As of September 1, there were 295 individuals on the waitlist for long-term care beds. An internal government report from four years ago estimated that 1,600 long-term care beds would be needed by this year to meet demand – a target that was not met and is not expected to be achieved for a couple more years.
One of the initiatives includes the addition of 82 new long-term care beds at Whisperwood community care and nursing home in Charlottetown, supported by over $100 million over a 30-year agreement for construction costs. Additionally, an estimated $10.1 million per year will be provided to cover accommodation expenses once the beds are operational.
Furthermore, there is a call for proposals for up to 48 new beds in Kings County, following previous announcements for 80 private beds in Cornwall and 60 in Summerside. The P.E.I. Nurses’ Union has expressed concerns about the potential shortage of staff to manage the new beds, emphasizing the importance of adequate planning and recruitment strategies.
With the majority of new beds scheduled to open in 2029, there is time for the province to address staffing challenges. The union president, Kim Sears, highlighted the significance of committing to long-term care beds within the public system to mitigate competition between public and private care providers. She emphasized the need for competitive agreements, recruitment efforts, and expanding nursing school seats to fill vacancies effectively.
