A study to determine the current and future needs of residential hospice services in Huron and Perth counties is underway.
The study will recommend a residential hospice model and where ten funded beds should be located. It will also identify partners and communities, and will assess the local capacity for capital and annual fundraising.
Spokesperson Jay McFarlan says both counties were well represented at a recent meeting in Clinton.
Officials from the Stratford Residential Hospice group were there as well as people from South Huron's Jessica's House, the Southwest LHIN and local medical communities.
Members of the Huron-Perth Residential Hospice Sub-Committee are still in the process of accepting recommendations, and once that process is completed they'll come up with a possible model.
McFarlan adds they're hoping to organize another meeting in early November in Wingham.
Final approval for the recommendations and business case rests with the South West LHIN Board of Directors.
Residential hospice services will complement the volunteer services, community and hospital palliative care that is already provided in both counties. Hospice beds are considered a multi-community specialized resource, and will not be located in every community throughout the region.