By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Ontario government is enhancing access to compassionate end-of-life care for residents of Windsor-Essex by adding a new hospice bed at the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County. This addition will bring the total number of palliative care beds at the Hospice Windsor-Essex Erie Shores Campus to 24, spread across two residences.
This move is part of a provincewide expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds, which will bring the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. The new beds are expected to provide greater access to care for individuals at the end of life, allowing them to remain close to their loved ones.
Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Windsor-Tecumseh, commended the expansion, highlighting the exceptional care provided by local hospice staff.
“The amazing team at Hospice Windsor-Essex is dedicated to offering quality care and support during such a vulnerable time,” Dowie said. “The Ontario government is proud to support their great work with additional funding for specialized palliative care services.”
Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, also expressed support for the expansion, emphasizing the benefits to families in the region.
“Expanding access to hospice care in Essex County is a compassionate step forward,” Jones said. “This investment ensures families can remain close to their loved ones during their final days, surrounded by dignity and support.”
The new hospice bed at the Erie Shores Residence in Leamington will increase the residence’s capacity to 12 palliative care beds. Katharen Bortolin, Executive Director of the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, expressed gratitude for the investment, noting the importance of community support in making the expansion possible.
“We are incredibly grateful for this funding and the ongoing support of our community,” Bortolin said. “This new bed is a testament to the commitment of Windsor-Essex residents, and we look forward to continuing our work in supporting families with specialized, memorable care.”
The expansion is part of the province’s up to $19.75 million capital investment to add 84 new adult hospice beds across Ontario. In addition, the province will provide up to $16.03 million per year to support the operation of these beds.
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, emphasized the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive care close to home.
“Our government is ensuring that Ontarians have access to the care they need in their community, surrounded by loved ones,” Jones said. “By investing in the expansion of end-of-life care, we are taking another step in providing compassionate and specialized care closer to home.”
The Ontario government’s Your Health plan, which aims to improve access to care, includes a $147.4 million investment over three years to expand palliative care services. This includes a 45 per cent funding increase for all hospice beds across the province, with additional funding for smaller sites with six beds or less.
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