ANNOUNCEMENT

The West Island Palliative Care Residence

Expands Palliative Care Beds By 155%

~ Opening New Facility to Serve Growing Needs of the Population ~

KIRKLAND, November 12, 2011 – The West Island Palliative Care Residence (WIPCR) is pleased to announce that it is expanding the number of palliative care beds it offers in response to the growing need for services for the terminally ill and their loved ones. In accordance with the recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Social Services of one palliative bed per 10,000 population, WIPCR will be adding 14 beds, an increase of 155% versus its current capacity, at a new West Island facility, to be operated by Groupe Maurice, and located at the corner of Hymus and Stillview in Pointe Claire. Both this new location, and the existing WIPCR facility, built in 2002 and located on André-Brunet Street in Kirkland, will be managed and overseen by the WIPCR clinical and administrative staff. This will ensure high quality and consistent palliative care at both locations.   

This expansion is being made possible thanks to a $840,000/year investment by the Quebec government with the balance from numerous private and corporate donors.  "The West Island Palliative Care Residence has provided comfort and support for hundreds of patients and their families, including my own. Today's announcement will enable the Residence to help even more families to cope with the challenge of end of life." says Geoff Kelly, MNA for Jacques-Cartier and Minister responsible for Native Affairs

“Expanding the number of beds is a tremendous accomplishment for all involved. We are very pleased to be able to better meet the expectations set by the Ministry regarding the ratio of palliative care beds versus the population. As well, we are grateful for the support of our provincial and municipal representatives as well as other community leaders who lobbied tirelessly for increased community beds for West Island residents,” said Mr. Allen Van Der Wee, President of the Board of WIPCR.  “This announcement is important for patients and their loved ones who will now have increased access to high quality and dignified end-of-life care in a comfortable and supportive environment.”

”We are so grateful for all the support from the government, community and corporate partners over the past nine years. Palliative care is both necessary and essential in our community and across our country.  Seventy percent of Canadians in need do not have access to palliative care,” said Ms. Teresa Dellar, Executive Director of WIPCR.  “I am impressed at how our community came together and was motivated to meet the growing demand with the goal of ensuring peace and comfort to those needing end-of-life care. We are proud to be in a position to respond to this gap in services through this important expansion.”

WIPCR will work over the next few months with the Centres de santé et de services sociaux (CSSS) and Groupe Maurice to assure the establishment of the second residence and to provide seamless services between the two establishments. 

About The West Island Palliative Care Residence

WIPCR provides active and compassionate care in order to comfort and support terminally ill patients and their loved ones, while continuing as a leader in palliative care within the province of Quebec and Canada.  Opened in October 2002, the mission of WIPCR is to provide terminally ill patients a place to spend their end-of-life days in comfort and dignity in a warm, home-like environment, close to their family, and in their community.

WIPCR is at the forefront of providing superior care within the community health care network, to serve as a role model and resource for other communities wishing to build freestanding palliative care residences, and to promote education not only to health care professionals, but also to the community as a way of increasing awareness and promoting understanding about the needs of terminally ill patients and their family.  WIPCR values, recognizes and respects the individuality and autonomy of each person.  It strives to address the complex needs, hopes, fears, suffering and expectations of each patient, while supporting their dignity and optimizing their quality of life through relief of suffering.

Referrals to WIPCR are made through Montreal area hospitals, doctors, CLSCs and NOVA. Over 1750 patients have received end of life care since WIPCR opened in 2002.  For more information on WIPCR, please visit: wipcr.ca.