NEWS RELEASE
MPP ANN HOGGARTH
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Ontario is partnering with local communities to build a new hospice that will provide 172 more families each year in the Simcoe County region better access to compassionate palliative and end-of-life care, closer to home.
Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie, was in Alliston today to announce $1.2 million in funding to Matthews House, a residential hospice in Simcoe County that will be expanding from six beds to a ten bed palliative care hub. Once completed, the new palliative care hub will provide nursing and personal support services to patients and their families closer to home.
The new palliative care hub will feature:
- A centre of excellence for education, a volunteer visiting program and outreach
- Ten beds for end-of-life care
- Meditational gardens and accessible porches
- Gathering spaces for families and groups.
By providing capital funding to eligible hospices to supplement local fundraising efforts, Ontario is supporting the creation of new and expanded hospices across the province. This investment will help more than 2,000 additional people and their families access palliative and end-of-life care each year.
Residential hospices provide expert care in a home-like environment, giving families and friends the space and care they need to be with their loved ones at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
Expanding access to compassionate palliative and end-of-life care is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
QUOTES
“I am delighted to announce more funding for hospices across Ontario. In 2016, we committed to expanding palliative and end-of-life care so that all Ontarians can receive high-quality and compassionate care closer to home. Helping hospices to open new beds will mean that even more people can benefit from their supports.”
— John Fraser, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“I am thankful that our government has chosen to make this investment in Simcoe County. Palliative care can make all the difference for patients at the end of life, and make the transition much easier on family members. I know that Matthews House will continue to deliver quality care to the families of our community”
— Ann Hoggarth, MPP Barrie
"Matthews House Hospice is forever grateful to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for their commitment to hospice palliative care in our province, and especially for their willingness to back up that commitment with the necessary financial support to ensure that each community hospice in our province has the resources to fulfill their mandate to those facing life-threatening or life-limiting illness. Our new Matthews House Centre of Excellence will be a glowing example of how provincial, municipal, corporate and individual donations can create life-affirming change."
— Margo Cooney, President, Matthews House Hospice Board of Directors
“I have witnessed this dream become reality. The vision, bold leadership, community support energized by a small army of dedicated volunteers, and excellent staff in a relatively small community is without parallel in my experience.”
— John Wigle, husband of Pat Wigle, Matthews House Hospice client
“Matthews House provided a truly supportive and comforting experience during my wife’s final hours. With the new facility I am grateful that many more families will be able to make their loved one’s final days easier”
— Gerry Ross, Donor and wife of Katherine Ross, hospice client. The Ross family has named a residential room in honour of Katherine
“We are thrilled to let our very generous community know that as we near completion of our Centre of Excellence, we are under budget, on time and appreciative of the many local trades and suppliers for their talents in creating this remarkable facility”
— Marv Chantler, Vice President, Capital Campaign and Building Committee
QUICK FACTS
- In August 2016, the government announced $1,050,000 in annual operating funding to expand Matthews House Hospice from four beds to ten beds. Ontario currently provides Matthews House Hospice with $420,000 in operating funding each year for four beds.
- The government is delivering on its 2016-17 commitment to supporting up to 20 new hospices across Ontario within three years by contributing to the construction and renovation costs for hospices.
- As part of the 2018 Budget, Ontario announced an additional investment of $10 million in 2018-19, bringing new annual funding to $40 million and a total three-year investment of $165 million between April 2016 and March 2019
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