VIDEO: Ontario Expanding Access to Palliative Care in Leeds Grenville

Two new residential hospice beds at Beth Donovan Hospice in North Grenville will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home!

Brockville – The Ontario government is connecting more people in North Grenville to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, in their community close to their loved ones by adding two new residential hospice beds at Beth Donovan Hospice, announced Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.

Today’s announcement is part of an expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768.

“I’m overjoyed to make this announcement, which will ensure that families in the North Grenville area will have access to high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care for their loved ones in the community they call home,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “I’m proud our government has acted to make Beth Donovan’s dream a reality. I thank Hospice staff, board, volunteers, supporters, along with current and past North Grenville councils for their tireless advocacy in making it happen.”

“The expansion of palliative care in North Grenville is a testament to the incredible and unwavering efforts of so many – especially the dedicated staff and volunteers at the hospice, but also healthcare professionals, community advocates including our MPP Steve Clark, our municipal council and staff, and many other local leaders, all of whom have worked tirelessly to bring this important, much-needed resource home to our beloved community,” said Nancy Peckford, Mayor, Municipality of North Grenville. “Beth Donovan Hospice has long been a place of comfort, compassion, and grace for individuals and families during life’s most difficult and sacred moments. These two hospice beds will ensure that more people can receive the care and dignity they
deserve, surrounded by love, here, at home in North Grenville.”

“It’s incredible!” said Sue Walker, Executive Director of Beth Donovan Hospice. “These beds will provide individuals with the opportunity to receive quality end-of-life care in a comfortable, home-like setting, surrounded by their families and supported by their communities.”

This expansion is part of the province’s up to $19.75 million capital investment to add 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. When these 84 new beds are open, the province will provide an additional up to $16.03 million per year to support the operation of these beds.

“Our government is ensuring people and their families have access to the
comprehensive care they need in their community, close to their loved ones, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the expansion of end-of-life care in communities across the province, we are taking another step to connect Ontarians to compassionate and specialized care closer to home.”

As a next step, the ministry will be working with Beth Donovan Hospice to bring the new beds into operation.

Through the Ontario government’s Your Health plan, the province is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, where and when they need it. This includes investing up to $147.4 million over three years to expand access to palliative care services, including increasing funding by 45 percent for all hospice beds across the province, with additional increases for hospice beds in smaller sites of six beds or less.

QUICK FACTS:

• Palliative care, which includes end-of-life care, can begin as early as the diagnosis of a serious illness and focuses on improving the quality of each individual’s life. This integrated form of care ensures people can access the support they need when facing illness, death, grief, and/or bereavement.
• The Ontario Palliative Care Network (OPCN), led by Ontario Health, is a partnership of health service providers (including hospices, long-term care homes, hospitals and others), community and social support service organizations, health system planners, Ontario Health Teams, and patient and family/care partner advisors formed to develop a coordinated, standardized approach to palliative care.