COMOX VALLEY – Island Health is committed to providing high quality, accessible services and supports to all individuals and families dealing with end-of-life care.
In June, Island Health announced that we will be consolidating the existing four and future two community hospice beds currently located in the Comox Valley at The Views, to a site where all end-of-life (EOL) services, including Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) can be accessed. Based on Island Health’s experience, the ideal location for community hospice beds is within a residential care facility as this provides a community option and will enhance the overall care for all residents.
As noted at that time, the views of the community are very important to us and we made a commitment to gather feedback from community stakeholders on Island Health’s potential options for relocation, and to gather additional feedback the community may have prior to Island Health making a final decision.
On October 3, Island Health representatives met with a range of Comox Valley stakeholders. An excellent conversation took place and there was strong consensus that the vision is a community-based model of hospice care that provides the full range EOL services, including MAiD.
The community is assured that Island Health is working toward both interim and long term solutions. Island Health’s next steps include establishing a local steering committee made up of community stakeholders, including the Comox Valley Hospice Society, to provide input on the values and criteria for interim and long-term options for consideration in Island Health’s decision making process.
Island Health has launched a web page where community members can get information on the values and criteria for community hospice beds received from stakeholders on October 3. Community members can then provide feedback on the values and criteria as well as additional thoughts/ideas they may have. Feedback will be received until Nov. 24, 2017.
Community members can email their feedback to eol@islandhealth.ca
Island Health will consider all community feedback in making its final decision on the relocation of community hospice beds in the Comox Valley.
Media Contact:
Adrienne Breen
Island Health Communications
250-740-6980