The Board of Directors of the Residential Hospice Grey Bruce (RHGB) has made the difficult decision to pause the development of the satellite hospice project in the Municipality of Brockton.

“The last year of the pandemic has brought unforeseen and formidable challenges to us all,” explains Paul Rowcliffe, Board Chair. “Priorities have had to change to meet the realities of the pandemic, and the same is true for RHGB.”

Rowcliffe says that RHGB remains committed to developing the satellite residential hospice in Brockton, but have to take a “cautious pause” until the pandemic winds down and the economy stabilizes. In this present atmosphere of uncertainty, fundraising has been difficult and obtaining a cost estimate for building has been hindered as construction costs have been impacted by the pandemic. As such, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the work of the fundraising and build committees for up to 12 months.

“This is an unhappy decision for us and we are aware of the desire for a residential hospice in the community of Brockton, but it is unrealistic to carry on at this time,” adds Rowcliffe.

All donations to the project thus far will be held in a segregated account until such time as the project moves forward.

Even with the pandemic restrictions, Chapman House has served 62 residents and their families from Durham/Hanover/Walkerton and surrounding areas in 2020/2021; this represents 21% of total admissions over the past two years.

“We want to thank all the donors for their gifts and their understanding at this time and we thank each committee member for their time, dedication and support of RHGB,” says Rowcliffe.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Residential Hospice