The Government of Ontario awarded one-time funding of $285,000 to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre this past Friday to support palliative care services and help offset additional costs related to COVID-19.
The provincial government says this investment will be used to “help hospice residences and compassionate care facilities address additional costs associated with COVID-19, including the procurement of personal protective equipment.”
The funding, announced outside the Cobourg care centre by Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, is part of the Government of Ontario’s $23 million investment in hospice care centres across the province. This is in addition to the province’s annual investment of more than $74 million.
“You shouldn’t have to worry about the challenges of COVID, while providing compassionate care to others. That’s really our job as public policy makers and as the government, to stand behind you and to support you and the work that you do on a day-to-day basis,” said Piccini as he spoke to the Ed’s House team.
“I’ve had the opportunity to get out in our community and sadly -but also happily- speak to families and to friends who’ve been here in Ed’s House. At a very difficult time in one’s life, it’s comforting to know that they have dignity at the end of their life, as difficult as that time may be.”
The one year old facility has been able to assist 110 people die with dignity since opening its doors in September 2020, said director of hospice services Sherry Gibson.
Community Care Northumberland (CCN) CEO Trish Baird expressed her gratitude over the MPP’s announcement.
“We appreciate and are grateful that the provincial Government has recognized and addressed the unique financial pressure created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Baird. “This one-time funding will help us continue to provide our residents, their families, and the community compassionate end-of-life care at Ed’s House.”
The additional investment brings Ed’s House 2021-2022 funding total to $915,000.
