Health Minister Terry Lake attended today’s Victoria Day parade in Clearwater and announced a $40,000 grant to the North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society.

“This funding will support the work of the North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society as they conduct a feasibility study to develop hospice care in the North Thompson,” said Lake. “This investment reflects government’s commitment to provide B.C. families access to end-of-life supports throughout the province.”

The funding will help the North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society to review the need, and develop sustainable strategies, for the delivery of residential hospice services in the area. The study will also help the society and community determine a timeline for fundraising and planning.

“It is great news for the North Thompson Valley that government has provided this funding to help support hospice care in this region,” said Jean Nelson, president of the North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society. “I also thank the many volunteers and community members who have shown their dedication in working to bring hospice care to the North Thompson.”

The North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society became a registered non-profit society in 2011 to raise money and awareness around hospice care in the North Thompson Valley. All members of the society board are volunteers and their efforts over the years have already raised $30,000 through community fundraisers like antique appraisal events and bike races. 

The ministry published the Provincial End-of-life Care Action Plan for British Columbia in April 2013 to support a high-quality and sustainable palliative and end-of-life care system. The plan guides health authorities, physicians, health-care providers and community organizations in planning integrated primary- and community-care services to meet the needs of people coping with end of life, including their families and caregivers.

The action plan supports quality hospice, palliative and end-of-life care services throughout British Columbia and was developed through extensive consultation with clinical experts, community stakeholders, policy leaders and service providers.

Quick facts on palliative care in B.C.:

• As of September 2013, B.C. had 261 designated residential care hospice palliative care beds for adults.
• Government has committed to increase the number of hospice spaces available in the province by 100% by 2020.
• During its fiscal year 2012-13, the Province provided approximately $8 million in hospice and palliative care including:
  • $2 million to Canuck Children’s Place (Abbotsford);
  • $0.95 million to Vancouver Hospice;
  • $2 million to Marion Hospice (Vancouver); and,
  • $3 million to Peace Arch Hospice (White Rock).
• Through the Provincial Health Services Authority, government also provided a one-time grant of $2 million in 2012-13 to establish a B.C. Centre for Palliative Care.

• The British Columbia palliative care benefits program provides eligible palliative patients who want to receive care at home with coverage of drugs, supplies and equipment used in palliative care. More than 73,000 clients have received benefits since the program started in 2001.
• An end-of-life care practice support module was developed in 2010-11 in partnership with the Doctors of BC, to assist general practice physicians and specialists in providing interdisciplinary, shared end-of-life care with other physicians and allied health professionals.

Learn more:

The Provincial End-of-Life Action Plan for British Columbia is available at:
www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2013/end-of-life-care-action-plan.pdf

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)