New bed opened at Hospice Erie Shores Campus

By Mark Ribble

The Windsor-Essex Hospice Erie Shores Campus has added a new hospice bed courtesy of the Ontario government.

That addition brings the number of hospice beds at the Leamington-based campus to 12.

The addition is part of a province-wide expansion of 84 new beds — a $19.75 million capital investment by the province.

Dignitaries were on hand on Friday, January 24 as the bed was unveiled. 

They included MPP for Chatham-Kent Leamington Trevor Jones, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh Andrew Dowie, Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald and several board members from the Hospice of Windsor-Essex County and the Erie Shores Health Foundation.

“Expanding access to hospice care in Essex County is a compassionate step forward in providing our residents with the care and comfort they deserve during the most difficult moments of their lives,” said MPP Trevor Jones. “The addition of these hospice beds ensures that more families can remain close to their loved ones in their final days, surrounded by support and dignity. This investment reflects our commitment to improving end-of-life care across Ontario.”

Executive Director of The Hospice, Katharen Bortolin, said the new bed would be filled by the end of day Friday, as there was a waiting list.

“We are incredibly grateful for this funding and for the continued support of our community. The people of Leamington and Windsor-Essex built this Hospice through their dedication, their generosity, their volunteerism, and their belief in the value of palliative care,” said Bortolin. “This new bed is a testament to that ongoing commitment, and we are excited to continue our work in supporting even more families.”