On December 14, 2018, Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced the government is moving forward with plans to build 6 new hospice beds for Hospice Quinte with an investment of $1.2 Million from the province.
“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 make more beds available for those who need hospital care. Our government is moving 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.
“Our government is increasing access to hospice beds across the province, by providing appropriate end-of-life care for those who need it,” said Todd Smith, local MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “This investment is helping alleviate the pressures on our health care system, by ensuring more hospital beds remain available for those in need of acute care. Our government is committed to ending hallway healthcare.”
“Today’s announcement will truly benefit our communities. Receiving these funds to build a hospice care centre means we will be able to provide appropriate, desirable, and cost effective care for patients nearing end of life who find they can’t stay at home for their final days,” said Jennifer May-Anderson, Executive Director for Hospice Quinte.
Also on hand for the announcement were Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk, Hospice Quinte Board President Darcey French, MPP Todd Smith, Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, Tyendinaga Township Reeve Rick Phillips, and MPP Daryl Kramp.
Hospice Quinte serves people in Quinte West, Belleville, Tyendinaga Township, Deseronto, and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
