Canada’s federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Jane Philpott, visited the West Island Palliative Care Residence in Kirkland on Thursday, September 15, as part of her fact-finding efforts towards increasing access to palliative care services for people across Canada.
The West Island Palliative Care Residence has been in operation since 2002 and, with 23 beds in two pavilions, is Canada’s largest freestanding community palliative care facility. Dr. Philpott was given a tour of the purpose-built André-Brunet Pavilion which houses the Residence’s original nine beds, all in spacious private rooms in a very welcoming and home-like atmosphere with access to the Residence’s private garden.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by Francis Scarpaleggia, Member of Parliament for the riding of Lac-St-Louis which includes the Residence and a longtime active supporter of the Residence.
“It is a great pleasure for us to welcome the minister to our Residence and to have the opportunity to show her first-hand how we operate and help our patients and their families,” said Teresa Dellar, Executive Director and Co-Founder. “As a pioneer and leader in the field of community-based palliative care in Canada, we are always willing to help increase access to such care in other communities across the country. It is encouraging to witness the minister’s commitment to this effort as represented by her visit to our Residence.”
About the West Island Palliative Care Residence
The West Island Palliative Care Residence provides terminally ill patients with a place to spend their final days in comfort and dignity in a warm, home-like environment, close to their family, and in their community. The freestanding Residence, which is the largest such facility in Canada, provides a special type of care for terminally-ill people to live out their final days in comfort and dignity. Recognized across the province and Canada for its excellence in palliative care, the facility has welcomed more than 3,300 patients in the final stages of ALS, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as their family members.
La compassion, c’est notre priorité | Compassion lives here
Visitez notre nouveau site web | Visit our new website ResidenceSoinsPalliatifs.com
