By Stephanie Myles
Ottawa’s only live-in palliative care program will remain open after the provincial government extended its $535,000 grant through March 2006, buying time to develop a plan for permanent funding.
The Hospice at May Court was in danger of losing its nine-bed palliative care program if the government did not renew the grant.
Without the grant, it expected to close this March.
“It’s a recognition on the government’s part that palliative care and hospices … exist,” said Barbara O’Connor, May Court’s director.
“They want to hear more about it,” she said.
The grant covers a portion of salaries for nurses and caregivers. The hospice raises its own money for remaining costs.
May Court is working with the Palliative Care Network of Ottawa to develop a formal plan for providing palliative care.
The hospice will use this plan to apply for permanent funding from the province so it won’t have to worry about losing its grant, said O’Connor.
She said the extension of the current grant gives the hospice time to complete its plan and request permanent funding.