$375 K for Nipissing Serenity Hospice
November 9, 2021Funding will support high-quality palliative care for individuals and families
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is providing a one-time increase in funding of $375,000 to the Nipissing Serenity Hospice. This represents a 36% increase from last year and bring their 2021 funding to $1,425,000.
“This funding will help local patients receive the respect, dignity and care they deserve at every stage of their lives, while ensuring Nipissing Serenity Hospice has the tools they need to continue to provide high-quality care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing.
“We are grateful to the Government for recognizing and supporting the unique and valued services we provide to our community – holistic care for patients and grief and bereavement support for families to support their wellbeing through a difficult time,’ says Gil Pharand, Executive Director of Nipissing Serenity Hospice. “This funding will help address the financial pressures of COVID, many of which will be ongoing.”
The Ontario government is investing up to $23 million in hospice residences across the province to help them continue to provide high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones. This funding is a part of the government’s comprehensive plan to end hallway health care, ensuring that people can access high-quality care in the right settings now and in the future.
Hospice palliative care plays a vital role in Ontario’s health care system, providing people with additional options for high-quality end-of-life care outside of hospitals. This investment will be used to help hospice residences and compassionate care facilities address additional costs associated with COVID-19, including the procurement of personal protective equipment. This is in addition to the province’s annual investment of over $74 million in palliative care, and ensures all eligible hospices receive a minimum increase of 30 per cent this year.
Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested $40 million to add over 200 new hospice beds across the province that support high-quality care for more than 7,000 additional patients per year. Once opened, these beds will be supported by an annual investment of $23 million in operating funding. To date, 149 beds have been opened and are supported by $15.5 million in annual funding from the province.
Quick Facts
- The province has increased its dedicated investments in hospice expansion and palliative care quality improvement initiatives from $67 million in 2018 to over $74 million in 2021. This represents a 10.5 per cent increase.
- Hospices provide compassionate end-of-life services to people and families in their communities. Services can include 24/7 professional nursing and personal support services, caregiver supports, and pain and symptom management.
Additional Resources
- 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy
- Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine web page to view the latest provincial data and information on COVID-19 vaccines.
- Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 information website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from the virus.
- For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only)