The shelved plan to add new beds to Grey Gables Long-term Care Home in Markdale could be revisited by Grey County Thursday.
Grey Highlands Mayor and County Councillor Paul McQueen’s January 26th Notice of Motion is on Thursday’s Committee of the Whole agenda.
McQueen’s motion says that in November of 2020, Grey County received provincial approval of its application to add 62 long term care beds to Grey Gables, to make 128 beds available.
McQueen also notes, Grey County passed a resolution at its Committee of the Whole meeting on August 26th, 2021, that placed additional development plans for Grey Gables on hold until Council decides otherwise.
In August 2021, county council received a report showing a significant increase in anticipated costs in the two long-term care builds planned in Markdale and Durham, up 42 per cent from previous estimates to over $108-million (or about $400,000 per bed). The County is not required by the province to re-do Grey Gables.
McQueen’s motion notes the Ontario government has announced it wants more long-term care beds built by 2025, and the hospital system has an increasing number of patients needing an alternative level of care. McQueen says those beds are needed for regular patient care. He says the provincial government announced in November 2022 additional capital funding would be made available to help offset rising building costs for long-term care projects that start construction by August 2023.
McQueen is asking councillors to support his motion to revisit the discussion of adding an additional 62 long-term care beds to Grey Gables. He wants council to look at all options, including adding an additional 62 bed wing. McQueen’s motion includes a direction to staff to bring forward a timely comprehensive report with revised costings for all options.