Bed Shortage Continues at Lake of the Woods Hospital

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it hasn't seen a lot of relief in the

use of its beds in the past few months.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says as of the end of January they still
had 25 so-called Alternate Level of Care Patients, eight of which were waiting
for a long term care bed to open up locally.

The other 17 patients are rehabilitiating, but Belcaen says its possible they will
also soon be on the waiting list for a long term care bed.

He adds they still haven't heard any word from the Northwest Local Health Integration
about opening up any new long term care beds in Kenora.

An announcement had been expected early in the new year.