ATIKOKAN, Ont. – Health-care infrastructure in Atikokan is beginning to conform to its aging population.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro put a symbolic shovel in the ground on Wednesday to kick off construction on a new wing of the Atikokan General Hospital.
“We’ll be increasing the capacity in the long-term care sector so that those people that are aging in Atikokan, that are looking for those services closer to home in their community, more of them will be able to access it right in Atikokan,” he said, following confirmation that the province would be making an $11.3 million investment.
The hospital’s undergoing what North West Local Health Integration Network CEO Laura Kokocinski calls “re-conforming,” to address Atikokan’s aging population.
“The population within Northwestern Ontario is shifting and changing,” she said. “We know that and as a result, health care services also has to shift and change in order to be responsive to the population.”
Although the hospital will be physically expanded, the number of beds will remain steady at 41.
The new build will allow the space for eight more long term care beds to be added to the existing 22.
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care will designate the other 11 beds as “medical beds,” allowing hospital administration to support long term, acute and alternate level of care patients, as needed.
“We’re going to have the opportunity with additional beds to have swing rooms,” explained hospital president Doug Moynihan.
“There may be sometimes when we have someone who’s in that ALC designation and we’ll be able to accommodate them in that bed. The ministry’s supporting a bit of flexibility there.”
Moynihan added the expansion will support that vision, providing better air circulation and more accessible rooms.
