P.E.I. Atlantic Baptist Home to close 41 beds by December

The P.E.I. Atlantic Baptist Home says it has to make major cuts to residentbeds, and it may have to cut staff as well because of a lack of funding.The home employs about 200 people.

Representatives from the not-for-profit, private nursing home say they've been trying to get more funding for a few years as the losses pile up.

• 'Why are these resources being wasted?': Empty P.E.I. nursing home beds puzzle patient's family
• Province should address 'inequities between public and private services' says P.E.I. Home Care Association

"We're not-for-profit. We're also not-for-loss, either, and we cannot, no longer tolerate this type of loss," said executive director Victor Shea.

31 dementia care beds may close

The home currently has 116 beds, all of which have 24-hour care. Among those 116 beds, 31 are dedicated to peoplewith dementia.

If they don't get more funding from the province, Shea said they'll have no choice but to make the cuts, which wouldinclude the 31 dementia beds, plus 10 more regular long-term care beds.

He said the home will work with the province to help transfer selected patients to other facilities by Dec. 18.

"It doesn't feel good," saidSheawho has been in the role for 10 months. "It's not something you'd ever envisioned doing as a new leader,"

No new patients

As of Thursday, the home stopped accepting any new patients.

"No business can take that kind of loss year after year without something drastic happening," he said.

We respect that government doesn't have infinite amounts of money, but they also need to respect nor do we.- Victor Shea

He said it's not because of a mismanagement of funds that's causing a scale back. It's rising demand and operational costs.

The home is looking for just under $1 millionin additional funding from the province.

"We respect that government doesn't have infinite amounts of money, but they also need to respect nor do we," Shea said.

"What frustrates me is we've spent the last two to three months, opening our books, our operation to them, requesting them to come to the table with a possible solution to help us. They failed to do that."

Government 'concerned'

Kevin Barnes, director of policy and planning for the Department of Health and Wellness, said he'sdisappointed by Atlantic Baptist's decision and isconcerned for the 41 patients that will need to be transferred.

According to their policy, private homes across P.E.I.get funded equally, whether they make a profit or not.

"As a private organization, and with responsibility for their own financial affairs, we respect that they have to make the decisions that are in their best interests," Barnes said.

"It is certainly concerning from government's perspective. Our primary concern obviously would be potential impact onresidents of those facilities."

Atlantic Baptist said if they can't relocate 41 patients by December, they'll continue to house extra patients until they can find them alternative placements.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |P.E.I.'s public schools looking to improve bus routes
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |P.E.I.'s 1st female Acadian lieutenant-governor 'filled with pride'