The old Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook is being transformed into a family care clinic, with renovations underway to create both long-term care and transitional care beds at the facility.

The provincial government made the announcement Monday morning, renaming the hospital as the Corner Brook Community Health Centre.

Area residents have long expressed frustration with a shortage of long-term care beds on the west coast.

The province says the two long-term care units will house a total of 30 beds.

The transitional care unit will include 15 beds for patients recovering from acute care before they are discharged.

Recruitment is underway for a range of health care professionals to work at the old hospital, including nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs, personal care attendants, and allied health professionals.