Ontario’s Government for the People is providing more people in Bruce and Grey counties with the compassionate care they deserve when nearing the end of their lives. Today, local MPPs Bill Walker (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) and Lisa Thompson (Huron-Bruce) announced the government is moving forward with plans to build six new hospice beds in the south end of Bruce-Grey.
“Everyone should have access to dignified end-of-life care that respects the wishes of the patient and their loved ones,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP and Government & Consumer Services Minister Bill Walker. “That’s why I’m proud our government is committed to improving access to comfortable, end-of-life care in communities across the province like Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.”
“This is welcomed news for South Bruce Grey,” Huron-Bruce MPP and Education Minister Lisa Thompson said. “We are fortunate to have such a local dedicated team of volunteers from the Brockton, Mildmay, Walkerton, Hanover, and surrounding area. They have worked so very hard to make this happen. It is because of their leadership and commitment that we are able to announce this today.”
Executive director of the Residential Hospice Grey-Bruce agrees. “Our experience has shown us that the need for residential hospice care is enduring and growing. Using the skills and knowledge that we have gained and working with a compassionate and generous community, this announcement enables us to move forward on our journey to raise the community portion of funding that will establish a satellite hospice location in the south part of our region,” Alex Hector said. “This will ultimately result in residential hospice care becoming available within a 45 to 50 minute drive for most residents in Grey-Bruce.”
“Building new hospice beds across Ontario will provide people with end-of-life care and support in a more comfortable setting,” said Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “With early investments like these, our government is ensuring that these patients are provided with the proper comfort, dignity and respect they deserve. This will also help to make more beds available for those who need hospital care. Our government is moving forward quickly to address challenges facing the health care system as we develop our long-term transformational health care strategy.”
Hospices provide patients with palliative care in a comfortable space, where they can be close to loved ones. In this environment, family and friends can have peace of mind knowing that patients will have access to appropriate end-of-life care. Hospice care focuses on relieving suffering and providing services like psychological, spiritual and bereavement support.
Ontario is investing nearly $33.6 million to build 193 new hospice beds across the province. When these beds open, the government will provide $20.3 million each year in operational funding for nursing, personal support, and other services. The government is supporting an additional 6,000 new long-term care beds – the first wave of more than 15,000 new long-term care beds being added in the next five years. Ontario is investing an additional $90 million in 2018-19 to build 1,100 beds and spaces in hospitals and the community, including 640 new beds and spaces.