SURREY – The official opening of Laurel Place residential care facility to
provide seniors in the Surrey area with
around-the-clock care marked 4,500 net-new beds and units open across the
province, announced Health Minister George Abbott today.
“Laurel Place is an excellent example of a
brand-new facility with modern amenities that meets the healthcare needs of
today’s seniors,” said Abbott. “Today’s opening also marks a major milestone
for government in its initiative to build 5,000 net-new beds for British
Columbian seniors by December 2008.”
Of the 215 units at Laurel Place, 182
of them are funded by Fraser Health and 162 contribute to government’s
commitment to provide 5,000 net-new residential care beds, assisted living
units and seniors’ supportive housing with home support units by the end of
2008. Fraser Health is opening the largest portion - more than 1,600 - of the
5,000 net-new beds and units to address the needs of its rapidly-growing
communities.
“Residents that I represent in Surrey will benefit from the new facility by providing
even more care options for our seniors,” said Dave S. Hayer, Surrey-Tynehead
MLA. “Laurel Place
will provide not only 24-hour care but also tremendous social and recreational
opportunities as well as all the comforts of home to help people keep active as
they age.”
“Laurel Place represents a unique
combination of care services in Fraser Health tailored to seniors needing more personalized
care,” said Betty Ann Busse, Fraser Health’s executive vice-president, health
promotion and community programs. “This approach could also serve to improve
the patient flow through our acute care facilities.”
For Fraser Health and the
Ahmon Group, a building partner and operator of Laurel
Place, the new facility represents the first time
that residential care, convalescent, rehabilitation and hospice beds have been
incorporated under one roof in a privately built facility leased to Fraser
Health.
“We are pleased to be part of the
government initiative to meet its objective of providing much needed funded
care beds,” said Michael Ahmon of the Ahmon Group. “Moreover, Laurel Place
represents a prime example of planning and cooperation between a Health
Authority and a privately-owned service provider.”
The resident rooms are located on
three floors above the main floor. All rooms are private accommodation with an
ensuite washroom, except for four rooms for couples or residents who wish to
share. The 12,000-square-metre (130,000-square-foot) Laurel Place was built by
a consortium that includes the Ahmon Group.
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