Ontario is investing up to $315,000 in The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth to support three palliative care beds in the community.
Northumberland County’s only residential hospice, The Bridge Hospice has been serving the county and greater region since June 2013. The three-bed facility enables people to receive quality palliative care in their final days with the same advantages as being at home, supported every moment by a team of physicians, nurses, personal caregivers, and volunteers.
This investment supports Ontario’s commitment to strengthen access to palliative care across the province. In the 2016 Budget, Ontario invested an additional $75 million over three years to provide patients with more options and access to community-based palliative and end-of-life care. This includes a $13.9 million increase in funding for existing hospice beds across the province and funding to support the commitment to expand hospice care to include up to 20 new hospices across Ontario at the new funding rate.
This funding for hospice care will help ensure high-quality residential hospice palliative care remains in the community for future generations. This investment will enhance compassionate end-of-life support that relieves suffering and improves the quality of living and dying.
Investing in palliative care is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come. It is also part of Ontario’s Patients First: Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care, which is the government’s plan to improve and expand home and community care over the next three years.
QUOTES
“Hospices in Ontario do an excellent job of providing high quality and compassionate care in our communities. This new funding will support the critical role that The Bridge Hospice plays in Northumberland County, and is an important part of our government’s commitment to expand hospice palliative care across the province so that even more people can benefit from their supports.”
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“Facilities with hospice care are special places that provide compassionate care to patients and families at a challenging time in their lives. They are a critical part of Ontario’s plan to ensure access to high quality hospice palliative care. ”
— John Fraser, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“The word Hospice to me symbolizes one important word…dignity. Hospices like The Bridge Hospice represents a true “bridge” in our final days allowing our loved ones to have compassion, care, love and support in a comforting environment. I have long been a hospice advocate and this funding today continues to add to the supports for those who truly need such special care.”
— Lou Rinaldi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland-Quinte West
“We are so pleased that the Provincial Government and the Central East LHIN recognize the contribution that our rural residential hospice can make toward increasing access to hospice palliative care across Ontario. This funding will help to ensure our financial stability, while we at The Bridge Hospice continue our commitment to provide exceptional end-of-life care to the residents of Northumberland County and region.”
— Jan Hux, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, The Bridge Hospice
“Palliative and End-of-Life Care has been an area of focus for the Central East LHIN for the past three years as we know ensuring timely access to quality palliative and end-of-life care is not only an ethical imperative but a vital component of our health care system. Today’s announcement supports the LHIN’s Palliative Care goal and supports The Bridge Hospice to provide end-of-life services to local residents when death is imminent and a home death is not possible.”
— Louis O’Brien, Chair, Board of Directors, Central East Local Health Integration Network
QUICK FACTS
- As part of the 2016 Budget, Ontario announced an additional investment of $75 million in hospice and palliative care over the next three years. This additional spending will be on top of the $80 million already invested in hospice and palliative care, bringing the total investment to $155 million from April 2016 to April 2019.
- Ontario is providing funding increases for facilities that provide hospice care across the province. The province’s support for The Bridge Hospice’s residential hospice beds in Northumberland County is part of its commitment to support up to 20 additional hospices.
- Ontario recently released the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Provincial Roundtable Report, which compiled feedback from province-wide consultations led by John Fraser, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The report will help Ontario develop a comprehensive strategy on palliative and end-of-life care, which will focus on supporting families and caregivers, and ensuring access to co-ordinated quality care where patients want it.
- Ontario recently launched the Ontario Palliative Care Network, a partnership among Cancer Care Ontario, Ontario’s Local Health Integration Networks, Health Quality Ontario and other partners, including members from diverse care settings and caregivers, clinical representatives and associations.
LEARN MORE
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care Provincial Roundtable Report
- Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care
- Ontario’s Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care
- Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
- The Bridge Hospice
- The Central East LHIN Palliative Care Strategic Aim
For more information:
Elaine Palmateer
Executive Assistant to
Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P., Northumberland-Quinte West
905-372-4000
