Milton to Receive New Hospice Beds as Part of Provincial Investment
The Ontario government is connecting more people in the Milton Riding to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 3 new hospice beds at the Townsend Smith Foundation. 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 investment is a significant step in strengthening palliative care services in Milton,” said Zee Hamid MPP of Milton Riding. “By expanding hospice care, we are providing families with greater support and ensuring individuals receive high-quality end-of-life care in a comfortable setting.”
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.”
As a next step, the ministry is working with Townsend Smith Foundation 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% for all hospice beds across the province, with additional increases for hospice beds in smaller sites of six beds or fewer.
“I am delighted and grateful for the Ministry of Health’s approval for an additional three residential Hospice beds for North Halton,” said Kim Kohlberger, Executive Director for the Townsend Smith Foundation. ”Previously approved for seven beds, this will bring our total funded beds to ten, which aligns with our capital development plan. With the ongoing support from our community and provincial government we are motivated to bring this vision to reality in 2027. We are immensely grateful to our MPP Zee Hamid for his ongoing support.“
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 everyone’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.