Mark Holmes, a resident of London has just become a member of our club; hurray and welcome to Mark. He is a former member of Cobourg and Welland Rotary clubs
More good news: Barbara Warnock has agreed to become president-elect; this also is marvellous. She has found herself on the home page of our website in the board of directors section. There is a PETS course coming up for her.
Trudy participated in the Coldest Night of the Year event last Saturday and met her goal.
Catharine needs a project to lead in our club in order to complete Toast Masters training. Let's all get behind her about this!
Program:
Carrie Ford, Fundraising; Laura Sherwood, St Joseph’s Health Care; and Dr. Bob Jones from Hospice of Elgin, presented exciting news.
They spoke about a new hospice facility proposed in Elgin County that will provide in-house End of Life support for about 150 people per year. 200 volunteers and a staff of 40-45 will be needed. They are planning for a 10-bed facility. They want an atmosphere that reflects the character of communities in Elgin eg. Rosey Rhubarb theme might mean growing rhubarb in the garden. Fundraising has reached the 50% level. There is only one property currently proposed for development; an announcement is hoped for in 3-4 months. Carrie said, "We are in the quiet phase of fundraising."
The Current Situation
Elgin County is the only region in Southwest Ontario without a Hospice facility. Each year about 800 people pass from us in Elgin County. That puts undue pressure on critical health care support for end-of-life. Malcolm made the point that palliative care needs not be part of acute care in hospital. Hospice construction costs are $299 – $431 per square foot in contrast to $568 – $764 per square foot for hospital acute care (2019 Canadian cost guide for real estate and infrastructure construction). Hospice of Elgin now has a new office at 613 Talbot St Saint Thomas. 519.631.7495; from that location, staff provide End of Life services, mostly in home.
Malcolm forwarded the following:
Rich History Palliative care in Elgin Co.
40 years ago
1980 Dr. Ann Thomas
Later: Dr. Sharon Hertwig
Nurses: Lynn/Sheila Stirling/Ann DeVries/Bev Beswick
- Multidisciplinary team: Nurse, Pharmacist, Dietitian, social worker, chaplain
- Dedicated space Acute care/Continuing care: Furnished by the community
Dr. Paula Donahue and Chemo unit/staff.
Support of medical staff:
Bob Jones
Terry Francis
Connie Robinson
John Hoffhius
Darius Ho
Bob Thomas
Derek Vaughan
Joel Keenleyside
Brian Hertwig
Kelly Jones
PC Training
Level 1 in St. Thomas
Level 2 with Western University - region
In the Community
Sessions with Hilary Vaughan
Living Wills/Advance directives/recognition by paramedics
- Culture change. Huge
Educate the patient to make an informed choice.
Some patients are choosing: MAID - will require them to be in an acute care setting.
- Palliative care does not belong in an acute care hospital: We need a Hospice