Local nursing home faces uncertain future

Effective June 1, Sault Area Hospital will stop providing money to operate the Great Northern Nursing Centre’s 95 beds.

The decision follows a recent Ministry of Health ruling that prohibits the transitional care nursing home from admitting new residents, the Sault Star reports.

The facility operates in quarters that originally housed the F.J. Davey Home on Great Northern Road at the Third Line.

Building code issues appear to have contributed, at least in part, to the ministry’s edict.

The centre’s residents are there temporarily while awaiting permanent long-term care accommodation elsewhere.

The North East Local Health Integration Network is co-ordinating efforts to secure new arrangements for those facing displacement.

Great Northern Nursing Centre management has provided assurances that the affected residents will continue to receive quality care until a solution is found.

The situation aggravates growing long-term care pressures in the Sault and area.

Well over 400 vulnerable citizens are currently waiting for openings in a long-term care setting.