Deficiencies identified before government took possession of two new long-term care facilities has resulted in a delay in the opening of the new buildings to patients.

Minister of Health John Haggie responded to a question from Opposition Leader David Brazil in the House of Assembly this week. Brazil wanted to know why the two new facilities – one in Gander and the other in Grand Falls-Windsor – have not yet opened.

Haggie indicated that the two facilities are fully staffed, but cannot open due to issues that have not been resolved between the contractor and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. “It’s a matter of taking possession of the building before we can occupy it,” Haggie told the House.

The Department of Transportation and Works says before taking possession of the buildings, deficiencies were identified that had to be addressed before the residents could move in. The department acknowledges the delay is unfortunate but says some of the deficiencies need to be corrected before they can open to patients.