Ontario Improving Access to Hospice and Compassionate Care in Northumberland

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Community, Editor Choice, Local

The Ontario government is investing $285,000 to help Community Care Northumberland continue to provide compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones. This one-time funding represents a 45 per cent increase in the province’s annual investment in resident care at Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre.

“With this investment, we are ensuring that people can access appropriate care in the right settings now and in the future,” said MPP David Piccini.

“Every day, hospices across the province go above and beyond to provide compassionate, high-quality end-of-life services and care for people and their loved ones. During the pandemic, hospices
experienced a decrease in community donations, which are used to help support day-to-day operations. Our government is proud to support Community Care Northumberland in their efforts to ensure residents in Northumberland have the respect, dignity and care they deserve in every stage of their lives.”

Hospice palliative care plays a vital role in Ontario’s health care system, providingmpeople with additional options for high-quality end-of-life care outside of hospitals. This year the government is investing up to $23 million in eligible hospice residences across the province as part its comprehensive plan to end hallway health care, ensuring that people can access high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care.

The funding will be used to address additional costs associated with COVID-19, including the procurement of personal protective equipment. This funding is in addition to the province’s annual investment of over $74 million per year in palliative care, and ensures all eligible hospices received a minimum increase of 30 per cent this year.

“We appreciate and are grateful that the Provincial Government has recognized and addressed the unique financial pressure created by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased staffing needs, infection control measures and the impact on our ability to raise funds during the pandemic which have all made this past year difficult,” states Trish Baird, CEO Community Care Northumberland. “This one-time funding will help us continue to provide our residents, their families, and the community with compassionate end-of-life care at Ed’s House.”

“Since opening in September 2020 for end-of-life care, Ed’s House has been able to assist 110 people die with dignity,” added Sherry Gibson, Director, Hospice Services.

“We continue to work with Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) to maintain a more sustainable funding model for hospices. We want to make certain that Northumberland has the best end of life care available close to home.”

“Since opening its doors just over one year ago, Ed’s House has served as a local centre of excellence in hospice palliative care, grief and bereavement support,” said Bob Crate, Warden, Northumberland County. “On behalf of Northumberland County Council, I would like to thank the Province for this timely investment to sustain such an indispensable service for our community. Funding announced today will help to ensure continued alternatives for people across Northumberland in accessing compassionate, end-of-life care.”

Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested $40 million to add over 200 new hospice beds across the province that support high-quality care for more than 7,000 additional patients per year. Once opened, these beds will be supported by an annual investment of $23 million in operating funding. To date, 149 beds have been opened and are supported by $15.5 million in annual funding from the province.

QUICK FACTS
· The one-time increase brings Community Care Northumberland – Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre’s 2021-2022 funding to $915,000.

·The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth is receiving a one-time increase of $142,500. This represents a 45 per cent increase from last year and brings their 2021-2022 funding to $457,500.

· The province has increased its dedicated investments in hospice expansion and palliative care quality improvement initiatives from $67 million in 2018 to over $74 million in 2021. This represents a 10.5 per cent increase.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
· 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy

· For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only)