New partnership, program highlight hospice's year

Combining resources with Warmhearts allowed the hospice to create its new Shared Care Team, to provide palliative care services at patients' homes.

“There's a lot more collaboration now,” said Léo Therrien, the hospice's executive director.

With volunteers and nurses working out of the same building, they can better co-ordinate the level of care they provide their patients, he said.

To support the team, the North East Community Care Access Centre provided the hospice with $415,000 in new funding.

A portion of that funding – around $63,000 – was used to purchase tangible capital assets.

Past chair Abbas Homayed, Norther Life's publisher, said it was one of the best boards he has ever chaired.

In June 2014 the hospice received $41,000 in charitable donations to start a new pilot project that would provide pediatric palliative care for children between the ages of 12 and 18.

Besides its work in the community, the hospice also showcased a healthy financial statement at its annual general meeting Monday.

Returning board member Gerry Lougheed Jr. said the hospice's financial statement for the 2013-2014 fiscal year was one of the best he had ever seen in the community.

The hospice received $877,275 through donations during the last fiscal year, compared to $697,898 the previous year.

Since its inception in 2008, Maison Vale Hospice has cared for more than 800 end-of-life residents.

Therrien said Monday the hospice is ready to accept a young patient when the situation arises.

In terms of the board, Lise Poratto-Mason was elected the new chair, with Kevin McCormick as vice-chair.