Three new patient suites are opening at the Hospice Windsor Essex thanks to funding from a provincial program focused on stabilizing the health system.
That brings the total number of suites at the local hospice to 23. Two of those beds are at the Windsor location, while a third will open at the Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington.
The hospice found out it had won a grant under the Plan to Stay Open initiative last November. Immediately, officials got to work repurposing existing space.
"As a not-for-profit healthcare organization, the goal was to move quickly to meet patient needs while remaining mindful of the cost," said Executive Director Nancy Brockenshire. "These additional rooms will help us care for more patients and families in our community -- by moving patients out of emergency departments and hospitals and into an environment that suits their healthcare needs."
The funding for the new suites is only temporary, but by demonstrating their need, Brockenshire hopes the money will become permanent.
"It means our hospice can provide memorable care to more than 120 additional local patients and families over the next 18 months," she said.
The province only funds half of the cost of each bed at the hospice. The rest comes from donations from the community.