Two New hospice beds in Barrie will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home.
BARRIE — The Ontario government is connecting more people in the Barrie to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 2 new hospice beds at Hospice Simcoe. This 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.
“This funding will ensure that more residents in Barrie and the surrounding areas have access to dignified end-of-life care,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “These additional beds will ensure that Hospice Simcoe is able to meet the growing needs of our community and continue to provide the compassionate care that has affected so many families.”
“Our government is ensuring people have access to the complete care that they need in their community, close to their loved ones and families, at every stage of life,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “This investment will provide Hospice Simcoe with two additional hospice beds, bringing the total of hospice beds to 12.”
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.”
Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of beds at Hospice Simcoe to 12.
As a next step, the ministry is working with Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.
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 per cent 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.
QUOTES
“This is incredible news for Hospice Simcoe and our community,” said Kelly Hubbard, Executive Director, Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre.” Approximately 300 people die in our care every year. We are grateful for this additional funding, Hospice Simcoe’s end-of life services will reach even more people helping to provide compassionate care to our ever-growing community.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
Ontario Palliative Care Network Information and Resources
OFFICE OF MPP DOUG DOWNEY
[email protected]
705-726-5538
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