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COMMENTARY: Capacity is created by caregivers, not concrete

The announcement of a new 80-bed nursing home in Cornwall has been welcomed by many Islanders — and rightly so. There is no question Prince Edward Island needs additional long-term care beds.

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The real question is whether building a new standalone facility is the fastest and most sustainable way to create them.

After more than 25 years owning and operating community care facilities and nursing homes across Prince Edward Island, I learned one lesson above all others: health-care capacity is not created by buildings.

Capacity is created by people.

Today, people are the resource we lack most.

Health P.E.I. continues to face significant staffing shortages. Hospitals, nursing homes and community care facilities all struggle to recruit and retain registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, resident care workers and other essential staff. Hospital services have been reduced because qualified professionals simply are not available.

These are not construction problems. They are staffing problems.

Every new nursing home requires registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, resident care workers, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, maintenance personnel, managers and support workers.

Those employees must come from somewhere.

Before deciding to build new nursing homes, we should first ask where the........

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