Corner Brook’s long-term care facility is about to see 15 of its private rooms converted to double occupancy.

Health officials made the announcement Friday afternoon in response to overcrowding at the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

They say it’s mainly because too many acute-care beds are taken up by people who need other types of treatment.

The plan is to create space at the long-term care centre while new software is used to speed up the discharge process.

They also plan to open an “interim” alternate care centre to house and assess those leaving hospital.

NL Health Services Western V-P and CEO Teara Freake says all those affected have been consulted.

“We’ve been working with our staff and our unions and the people who live in that home right now, and exploring how we can do this as safely as possible in the interests of all of the people involved,” Freake said.

Officials are also working with private homes in the region to source any beds they might be able to add to the system.

Meanwhile, PC heath critic Barry Petten could barely contain his shock with the plans.

He says having to add another centre is one thing.

But he says it’s cruel to take away residents’ privacy, adding families won’t stand for it.

“A lot of those residents deserve to be in private rooms for various reasons,” he said.

“To be doubling them up — and I can guarantee you right now this will be against their will — because of government’s mistakes, government’s … I can’t put it any nicer, screwup—those people got to share rooms to fix the mistake government made? I just think it’s appalling, and I think the families of those people, and those people in general, should be outraged about this.”

NDP Leader Jim Dinn says it all boils down to poor planning.

“You know it’s almost as if government didn’t realize we have an aging population with other needs,” he said. “That’s the disturbing part of it because it’s another example of a reactive approach as opposed to being proactive.”