Following 4 years of meetings and planning to expand hospice services beyond Chapman House, Owen Sound, representatives of the Southern Bruce Grey Hospice Committee and the Residential Hospice of Grey-Bruce Inc. are very encouraged by the provincial government’s announcement to fund 6 additional hospice beds in our region, servingHanover, Brockton, Chesley, Mildmay and Teeswater areas.
“Everyone should have access to dignified end-of-life care that respects the wishes of the patient and their loved ones,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP and Government and Consumer Services Minister Bill Walker, as he and Huron-Bruce MPP and Education Minister Lisa Thompson confirmed the $1.8 million funding announced by the Southwest LHIN in April.
“The goal is to eventually have residential hospice accessible within 45 to 50 minutes for most residents of Grey Bruce” according to Alex Hector, Executive Director. “Our experience has shown us that the need for residential hospice care is enduring and growing. The government’s decision to fund the beds enables us to move forward on our journey to raise the community portion of funding that will establish a satellite hospice location in the south part of our region”.
“This is welcomed news for South Bruce Grey,” Minister Thompson said. “We are fortunate to have such a local dedicated team of volunteers from the Brockton, Mildmay, Walkerton, Hanover, and surrounding area. They have worked so very hard to make this happen. It is because of their leadership and commitment that we are able to announce this today.”
A committee comprised of members from South Bruce, Brockton and Hanover and have been working closely with RHGB for over 4 years to bring a hospice to this area. Ken Brown who has been heading up the committee known as the “Hospice South Committee” advises “I am delighted that we have just become a formal sub-committee of the RHGB board of directors. I am looking forward to working with RHGB and engaging the public in this important project. Plans include to eventually have representation from south Bruce/Grey on the board of directors which is great news."
Having received the government funding approval, work will now focus on creating a fundraising program and finding a suitable hospice site. Paul Rowcliffe, RHGB Board Chair said, “While the government funding is very important it is only part of the equation, it only covers part of the costs. Our (RHGB) responsibility is to generate the funds to builddoors and operate our satellite location. Planning is underway, and details will be shared in the next few months”.
The May 5th Hike for Hospice is their biggest fundraiser, part of a national event. Last year it raised $175,000 and they hope to "blow the doors off" that amount in 2019. Almost half of their funding comes from the community.
There will upcoming public information meetings, so the public can hear all the details and express their opinions. People looking for additional information are encouraged to contact us at either [email protected] or [email protected]
source: media releases, Bill Walker MPP; RHGB
