Nova Scotia Health release:
Doors open this week to Nova Scotia’s first stand-alone transitional heath centre, welcoming a total of eight new patients currently cared for in hospital.
Another nine patients will be transferred next week.
The centre will accept a total of 68 patients in the coming months. An additional 110 rooms will open in 2026 when Shannex completes an expansion of the health centre.
West Bedford Transitional Health will support patients aged 18 and older who no longer require acute care but need assistance in transitioning back home or to other forms of care in the community. Patients will be referred to the centre by Nova Scotia Health based on clinical criteria.
When fully operational, West Bedford Transitional Health will care for 178 patients.
“This centre will go a long way toward providing an appropriate level of care for these patients,” said Nova Scotia Health Interim President and CEO Karen Oldfield. “Equally important, it will mean 178 acute care beds will be used the way they were intended: for those who need them the most. This centre truly is a gamechanger for our healthcare system.”
By freeing up acute care beds for more urgent patients there will be less pressure on overall hospital bed capacity. This will improve both emergency department and ambulance offload wait times and contribute to better morale for staff and patients.
With healthcare services provided by Shannex, West Bedford Transitional Health will provide a specialized level of care that focuses on rehabilitation, socialization, and building self-confidence to prepare for a return to varying degrees of independence in the community.
“West Bedford Transitional Health represents strong collaboration and partnership between Nova Scotia Health and Shannex, with a shared commitment to addressing the evolving healthcare needs of our community,” said Jason Shannon, President of Shannex. “We are grateful to stand here today, ready to welcome patients who will benefit from a model of care designed to help them successfully transition back into the community.”
The centre features spacious private rooms, air conditioning, ergonomic beds, abundant natural light, and communal recreation and dining spaces to encourage movement, increase social engagement and lessen isolation.
In addition to the built environment, West Bedford Transitional Health will also showcase leading-edge technology. This includes being a test-and-try site for wearable devices that measure patient activity and smart bedside technology for patient entertainment, communication, and feedback.
