September 2, 2011 - Ontario is helping Barrie and Simcoe area families support loved ones in the last stages of life by increasing funding to Hospice Simcoe.
The province will provide Hospice Simcoe with additional funding to strengthen its nursing and personal support services for patients. The $320,000 investment will help Hospice Simcoe to continue to offer quality care and service within the Simcoe area to meet the often complex needs of patients and their families living with the challenges of a life-threatening illness.
Residential hospices play a critical role in palliative care. The provincial government is committed to investing in hospices so that Ontarians who cannot be cared for at home can live their final days in dignity and comfort.
QUOTES
“This funding will provide increased nursing and personal support services within Hospice Simcoe and will ensure they are able to continue operating at full capacity.”
— Aileen Carroll, MPP Barrie
“Hospice residents deserve to live their final days in dignity and comfort. In 2003 no provincial program supported end-of life care other than the care provided in hospitals. Today Ontario is a leader in end-of-life care and this increase in funding will help ensure residential hospices have the resources they need to provide the best, most compassionate care possible.”
- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“This is indeed good news for Hospice Simcoe and, in fact, good news for hospices across Ontario. This funding will enhance our nursing staff and enable us to continue the high quality of care the community has come to expect.”
- Bruce Bound, Hospice Simcoe Board President and Chair
QUICK FACTS
- A residential hospice is a home-like environment — normally containing 10 beds or fewer — where people receive essential end-of-life care, free of charge. Hospices offer a range of supportive services to people who cannot be cared for at home.
- Hospice Simcoe is one of 24 non-profit residential hospices in the province that will be receiving an increase to their annual base funding.
- Ontario’s End-of-Life Care Strategy is improving palliative care for an additional 6,000 Ontarians.
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Media contact: Lynda Murtha, office of the Hon. Aileen Carroll, P.C., MPP Barrie
705 726-5538 705 627-1046 cell