KELOWNA – Interior Health is planning to open 185 new residential care beds in the Okanagan, saying it should reduce pressure on hospitals.
The agency issued a request for proposals Tuesday to create 100 beds in Kelowna and 85 in Vernon.
The spaces are needed for people with complex care needs who can’t live at home independently or with supports.
Interior Health says it took into account population projections, residential services wait times and hospital admissions to determine where the beds are needed.
“These 185 new beds ensure we are meeting our residential care bed needs in these two communities and elsewhere in IH,” said board chairperson Erwin Malzer in a news release.
After evaluating the bids received, Interior Health hopes to award the contract by June and begin building by the fall.
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