Ontario Expanding Access to Palliative Care in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
A new hospice bed for the Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point First will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home
NEWS
January 27, 2025
LAMBTON-KENT-MIDDLESEX — The Ontario government is connecting more people in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 1 new hospice bed for Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nations. This is part of an expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768.
“This new hospice bed for the Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nations is an important step in ensuring that individuals and families in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex have access to compassionate and culturally appropriate end-of-life care, close to home. By bringing these essential services directly to the community, we are supporting families during one of life’s most difficult moments.” – Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
This expansion is part of the province’s up to $19.75 million capital investment to add 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. When these 84 new beds are open, the province will provide an additional up to $16.03 million per year to support the operation of these beds.
“Our government is ensuring people and their families have access to the comprehensive care they need in their community, close to their loved ones, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the expansion of end-of-life care in communities across the province, we are taking another step to connect Ontarians to compassionate and specialized care closer to home.”
Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of beds to 7.
As a next step, the ministry is working with Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.
Through the Ontario government’s Your Health plan, the province is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, where and when they need it. This includes investing up to $147.4 million over three years to expand access to palliative care services, including increasing funding by 45 per cent for all hospice beds across the province, with additional increases for hospice beds in smaller sites of six beds or less.
QUOTES
“We are very excited for this opportunity in advancement of services to our community. It is imperative that our services accommodate our families when they require additional Spiritual/and or Cultural supports. It also creates the opportunity for our members to feel most comfortable at home, surrounded by family while receiving hospice/end of life care. Thank you to our CKSP Health Director and Staff for all the hard work and advocating for the things we all establish as priorities in the community. We look forward to many more opportunities in moving our community forward.” — Kimberly Bressette, Ogimaa Kwe/Chief of Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation
QUICK FACTS
- Palliative care, which includes end-of-life care, can begin as early as the diagnosis of a serious illness and focuses on improving the quality of each individual’s life. This integrated form of care ensures people can access the support they need when facing illness, death, grief, and/or bereavement.
- The Ontario Palliative Care Network (OPCN), led by Ontario Health, is a partnership of health service providers (including hospices, long-term care homes, hospitals and others), community and social support service organizations, health system planners, Ontario Health Teams, and patient and family/care partner advisors, formed to develop a coordinated, standardized approach to palliative care.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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CONTACT
Wallaceburg Constituency Office:
Unit 14 – 60 McNaughton Ave, Wallaceburg, ON N8A1R9
519-627-1015
Strathroy Constituency Office:
81 Front St W, Strathroy, ON N7G 1X6
519-245-8696