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$1 million for ARCH Hospice (update)

Province expanding end-of-life care in Sault Ste. Marie
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Theresa Mudge, ARCH executive director, at a provincial government funding announcement of $1 million for the Fourth Line hospice, Dec. 12, 2016. Darren Taylor/SooToday

Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) staff are delighted with Monday’s announcement of $1 million in provincial government funding, which will go toward the end of life facility’s $3 million expansion plan.

At 10,500 square feet, ARCH is 25 per cent smaller than the average hospice in Ontario.

The 4,800 square foot expansion will include space for a new paediatric bed and suite for the facility (for a total of 11 beds), a multipurpose garden room, family vigil space, a children’s playroom, a wellness area, and a counselling room for ARCH residents and their families.

The paediatric suite will be located where the ARCH kitchen currently stands, close to the nursing station (the kitchen will be relocated within the expanded building).

The paediatric suite will be 395 square feet in size, and will include sleeper sofas and family space for parents and siblings of terminally ill children.

“This marks another step in our journey,” said Theresa Mudge, ARCH executive director.

Apart from the funding announced by Sault MPP David Orazietti at ARCH Monday, the hospice has already received another $1.5 million toward its expansion goal, with another $500,000 to come.

“We’ve secured some private donations and major gifts,” said Mudge of the $1.5 million contributed toward ARCH’s expansion goal. 

“This is tremendous, but we still need our community’s help, we still need to fund raise, and we’re very optimistic Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma district residents will respond,” Mudge told SooToday, adding there will be some fundraising events held between now and spring.

“The expansion will extend east and north of our building…we want to always create an environment that’s comfortable for our families.”  

There will be five new full time employees and three part time employees as a result of the increased programs and service growth, Mudge said.

It is hoped construction of the expansion will begin in spring 2017, and completed by spring, 2018.

ARCH opened its doors in 2008.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the work that is done here at ARCH, it’s a tremendous organization that has an incredible reputation in our community, and we are very, very fortunate to have it here in Sault Ste. Marie,” Orazietti said.

“The use of hospices across Ontario continues to expand as it becomes a more preferred option for end of life services.”

Monday’s funding is part of significant, additional funding for hospice services announced earlier by the Ontario government.

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, SAULT MPP

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The provincial government is improving access to palliative care in Sault Ste. Marie by investing in the expansion of the local hospice, announced David Orazietti MPP today.

“Palliative care is an essential part of our health care system and we are pleased to be investing in the expansion of services offered by our local hospice,” said Orazietti.  “I commend the ARCH Hospice board, staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in advancing this project.”

With an investment of $1 million through the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) is constructing a 4,800 square foot addition which will allow the hospice to expand its palliative and end of life care services and add a new paediatric suite.  The larger facility will also accommodate a children’s playroom, a wellness area and a counselling room for patients and families.

This project is expected to help serve more than 500 additional residents and create five full-time jobs and three part-time positions in Sault Ste. Marie.

Improving the quality of life for people in the North and supporting employment opportunities is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help Northerners in their everyday lives.

“The emotional, spiritual, and physical comfort of our residents and their loved ones is our highest priority. We thank the province and the NOHFC for investing in the construction of our new addition, which will help us expand our services such as paediatric care, grief support and caregiver wellness.”

— Theresa Mudge, Executive Director, ARCH Hospice

“We are committed to enhancing end-of-life services to ensure Northerners can live their final days with dignity and comfort. I am very pleased that our government could support this important project in Sault Ste. Marie and help create new jobs in the community.”

— Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC

QUICK FACTS

  • The province’s NOHFC is supporting the ARCH expansion with an investment of $1 million
     
  • Since 2013, the NOHFC has made total investments of more than $446 million across Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.4 billion in direct economic activity and helping to create or sustain almost 9,985 jobs.
     
  • In the Sault Ste. Marie area since 2013, the NOHFC has invested more than $48 million in 365 projects helping to create or sustain more than 1,900 jobs
     
  • Ontario is investing an additional $75 million in hospice and palliative care over the next three years to support 20 additional hospices across the province.  This additional spending is on top of the $80 million already invested in hospice and palliative care, bringing the total investment to $155 million from April 2016 to April 2019
     
  • Ontario is also improving community-based hospice palliative care services through the Ontario Palliative Care Network.  This is an organized partnership of community stakeholders, health service providers and health systems planners who are working to advance patient-centred care and develop provincial standards to strengthen palliative services
     
  • The ARCH Hospice is a 10-bed facility which provides end-of-life care for local residents.

LEARN MORE

NOHFC programs

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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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