Hospitals in the region have suffered “bottlenecking” in recent years, she says, with many patients stuck in acute care beds while waiting transfer to a long term care facility.

“It is exciting news,” says Pierce, who was also a member of the South East LHIN project work team, tasked with analyzing quantitative and qualitative findings on the health care system in South Eastern Ontario.

The beds will likely be available in new builds, she says. The addition of new beds and new long term care homes will also “raise competition,” she adds.

“It makes us look at our strategies and what we’re doing in the home and how we can improve our care.”

Operators can submit applications to provide the beds up until November 10, with successful applicants being named in December. The beds are expected to be open before December of 2009.

“Some areas of the province, such as Kingston, need more quality long term care beds to address the needs of its growing and aging population,” said Minister George Smitherman, commenting after the announcement. “We are looking for interested long-term care operators who can come forward with plans to provide residents with a high quality of life.”

Smitherman also announced Sept. 29th that the government is seeking an additional 128 beds for South Hastings, and another 64 beds for Quinte West.