REGINA - Regina Lutheran Home will stay open after all.
In a news release Friday, the Government of Saskatchewan confirmed that with their support, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has reached an agreement with Eden Care Communities to allow the Regina Lutheran Home to remain open.
"After hearing from residents and families, I asked the Ministry of Health to work with the SHA to reconsider the viability of purchasing Regina Lutheran Home," said Mental Health and Addictions, Rural and Remote Heath and Seniors Minister Tim McLeod in a statement. "After positive discussions with Eden Care, an agreement has been reached that will keep Regina Lutheran Home open."
Under this deal, Eden Care agrees to continue to operate RLH on a transitional basis while the ownership of the facility is transferred to the SHA. According to the province, residents who found alternative placement will have the option to return. The province also states the Ministry of Health and SHA are committed to working with staff and health care provider unions through the transition.
The long-term care facility currently houses upwards of 62 residents. Eden Care Communities had previously given one year’s notice in April of their plan to move all residents out of the facility to other long term care homes. The SHA had looked into taking over the facility but had previously decided against it over viability concerns.
That decision drew considerable opposition and pushback from supporters and staff of Regina Lutheran Home, who called for the decision to be reversed both at a rally outside the facility earlier this fall and also at the Legislature. Now, that reversal has indeed happened.
In their news release, McLeod added that it was important to maintain the 62 beds as the province worked toward adding 600 long-term care beds in Regina. The province states a Request for Qualifications was announced to design and build a new 240-bed specialized long-term care facility in Regina.
"Keeping Regina Lutheran Home open will support the health care system's ability to meet the need for long-term care in Regina while work to add more beds continues,” said McLeod.
In a statement from the NDP, Regina Coronation Park MLA Noor Burki said this on the announcement:
“As the MLA for Coronation Park, I’ve pushed hard along with our team to keep the Lutheran Care Home open and I’m glad the government has finally come to its senses. This is a big win for these families and our community.”
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