Stock photo via Pixabay.com.The Ontario government is investing nearly $20 million to make accessing comfortable and dignified end-of-life care even easier.
The government has announced that it will be adding up to 84 new, publicly-funded adult hospice beds across Ontario.
Up to $19.75 million in capital funding has been allocated for the beds as part of Ontario’s 2024 budget. The investment also 12 additional pediatric hospice beds, which have already been added to Keaton’s House – Paul Paletta Children’s Hospice in Hamilton, and the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice in Ottawa.
The province is now accepting expressions of interest for the adult hospice beds, which are expected to be operational by 2027. Once the 84 new beds are open, the province will provide an additional $15.9 million in operational funding per year.
Existing hospice residences that are looking to expand are encouraged to contact their local Ontario Health Region for details.
This expansion will bring the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768.