April 13, 2023 at 11:34 am
St. Joseph’s Hospice is receiving funding from the Ontario Government.
As part of a $13.7 million investment across the province, the Ministry of Health has announced a one-time payment of $236,500 to the Sarnia facility.
The money will be used for care, personal support and other services provided to patients. It aims to support and maintain existing hospice capacity by increasing the operating funding rate for open beds approved by the Ministry of Health.
Hospice executive director Kelly Chartrand welcomed the news.
“This funding will ease budgetary constraints and allow St. Joseph’s Hospice to continue to provide essential care and services to our residents and their families,” Chartrand said. “We can continue to do what we do best — providing compassionate end-of-life care for individuals and their families through 24/7 expert care, caregiver support, pain and symptom management services, and bereavement support.”
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey commented on the announcement.
“On behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Health, I am pleased to provide this important funding to St. Joseph’s Hospice, which will support and maintain existing hospice capacity,” said MPP Bailey. “Our government recognizes the role St Joseph’s Hospice plays in bringing the best quality of life to the patients they serve in Sarnia-Lambton and in supporting patients’ families during the difficult end-of-life journey. This funding will ensure hospices are able to meet these challenges by providing care, personal support and other services to patients.”
The Ontario government says it is working to expand palliative care services in local communities and add 23 new hospice beds to the 500 existing across the province.