HAMILTON – The McGuinty government's investment in end-of-life care services means more people in the Hamilton and Brantford areas who are near the end of their life can receive the care they need, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"Our government is expanding end-of-life care services that offer care, compassion and dignity to those who are in the last stages of their life while providing needed support to their families," Smitherman said. "This investment means there will be more choices available for people on how they can live out their remaining days."

The funding includes $1.07 million to Hamilton Community Care Access Centre and $751,600 to Brant Community Care Access Centre to provide better access to coordinated, integrated end-of-life care services and more and better care, including enhanced levels of nursing and personal support services at home and in residential hospices.

In 2005-2006, $460,000 in annualized funding for nursing and personal support services is available for Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford.

The government is also providing $332,700 to community support services in the Hamilton and Brantford areas, including volunteer hospice services to strengthen the role of volunteers who help people with life-threatening illnesses live as comfortably and fully as possible.

The funding announced today is part of the $39-million investment being made province-wide by the government to help 4,300 more Ontarians this year.

"People who are terminally ill should have the opportunity to live out their days in the comfort of their home or community near to family or friends, rather than in hospital," Smitherman said.

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to better integrate local health services and expand community-based care in order to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

Backgrounder Support for End-of-Life Care Strategy 1 page | 20 k | PDF format

Backgrounder Residential Hospices 2 pages | 27 k | PDF format

Backgrounder Ontario's End-of-Life Care Strategy 7 pages | 60 k | PDF format

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