More long-term care spaces could be coming to Stratford.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance says it intends to sign a long-term land-lease agreement with Revera that would allow for a new 128-bed long-term care home to be built at the site of the former Avon Crest hospital.
Revera was previously awarded licenses for additional beds from the Ontario government for the expansion of its Hillside Manor Long-Term Care Home, which currently has 90 licensed beds, located west of Sebringville.
After assessing various redevelopment options, Revera, in collaboration with HPHA, has determined that building the larger, state-of-the-art Hillside Manor in nearby Stratford is in the best interests of both current and future residents and staff.
To make way for the new long-term care home, Avon Crest, the original Stratford hospital which has been vacant since 2018, will be demolished.
“We simply do not have enough local Long-Term Care beds,” says Andrew Williams, HPHA President & CEO. “As a result, patients end up staying in hospital far too long waiting for the specialized Long-Term Care they actually need. This chronic situation leads to longer wait times for other patients requiring hospital services. Once all necessary government approvals are secured, our long-term land-lease agreement with Revera will contribute to the solution by creating increased local capacity. Moreover, it will improve hospital care by freeing up beds for those patients waiting for surgeries or requiring admission through our Emergency Department. Revera’s tangible, time-sensitive, funded proposal will allow our former Avon Crest site to be the setting for yet another century of health care.”
The announcement was made ahead of a Stratford City Council meeting Monday night where Councilor Cody Sebben will introduce a motion to revisit a past decision not to designate the building as heritage.