Story Posted: 2021-01-25
First Free-Standing Hospice in Saskatchewan Opens, Marking a New Era in Hospice Care
The Hospice at Glengarda, Saskatchewan’s first free-standing residential Hospice located in Saskatoon on Treaty Six territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis, will accept its first admission this week thanks to tremendous support from the community.
Emmanuel Health Board Chair Daryl Bazylak says the opening marks a new era in hospice care in Saskatchewan: “St. Paul’s Hospital began working with community partners to make a hospice a reality for Saskatoon in the early 1990’s. We couldn’t be more pleased to complete this project, broadening the palliative care service continuum in Saskatoon. The outstanding generosity received from across the province to build the Hospice and advance end-of-life care programs is an indication of the need for increased services in this area.”
Main Floor Kitchen and Dining Room (furniture socially distanced due to COVID-19)
“The Hospice at Glengarda was built by the community for the community to serve the people of Saskatchewan.” – Neil Weber
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation’s Board Chair Neil Weber says: “The Hospice at Glengarda was built by the community for the community, to serve the people of Saskatchewan. Today, I have the additional pleasure of announcing a generous new gift of $250,000 from Orano Canada. Orano is deeply committed to the health and well-being of Saskatchewan. In addition to providing $175,000 to help build the facility through the Close to Home Campaign, they have also made the first major gift to the Hospice at Glengarda in the form of a $75,000 endowment to advance staff and volunteer cultural responsiveness training as it relates to end-of-life care.”
“We are so pleased to offer support for this important and necessary facility in our city,” said Tammy Van Lambalgen, Orano Canada’s Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer. “For us, the connection is very personal and we are happy to see that despite the challenges of 2020, this facility is ready to serve residents and their families with compassion and high-quality end-of-life care.”
Tammy Van Lambalgen, Orano Canada’s Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer presenting their $250,000 gift.
In late December, Bishop Mark Hagemoen performed a blessing for the Catholic facility that offers hospice care for all residents of Saskatchewan. The 15-bed Hospice on Hilliard Street East and Melrose Avenue is governed by Emmanuel Health and owned by St. Paul’s Hospital. The building was purchased from the Ursuline Sisters in 2014, and construction and renovations to the facility were funded through St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation’s Close to Home Campaign for Hospice and End-of-Life Care.
A fellow subsidiary of Emmanuel Health, Samaritan Place has taken on the role of developing and delivering the operational plan and patient programming for the Hospice. Samaritan Place Executive Director Bette Boechler speaks to their newly expanded mandate: “Samaritan Place has experience in delivering compassionate and holistic long term care. The Hospice at Glengarda represents a unique opportunity to expand our services and expertise to include end-of-life care. We look forward to serving our community in this new way.”
“Community Support has done far more than simply build the Hospice.” – Tracy Muggli
Tracy Muggli, Executive Director of St. Paul’s Hospital says that support for the campaign has done far more than simply build the facility: “In addition to providing funding to construct and furnish the Hospice at Glengarda and effectively close a significant gap in end-of-life care, the campaign has supported renovations to the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital, created a palliative education and training fund for care‑givers and the community, and established endowments to support holistic care services such as spiritual care, bereavement care and art therapy.”
Main Floor Kitchen and Living Space (furniture socially distanced due to COVID-19)
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation CEO Lecina Hicke expresses her deep gratitude to Orano Canada, and to everyone who contributed in so many ways to the Close to Home Campaign. “On January 30, 2019 we launched the Close to Home campaign with our dear friend Gord Engel and his beautiful family at our side. Gord bravely detailed his personal inspiration to advocate for the campaign – he was preparing to say goodbye to his family and wished that our community would consider what they might similarly wish for their family during such a time – a safe, comfortable and home-like space delivering quality end-of-life care. Sadly, Gord passed away in March 2019, but his story captivated our community and inspired countless gifts to the Close to Home campaign. We thank Gord, the Engel family and all of our supporters for helping to build the Hospice at Glengarda and provide holistic, compassionate and thoughtful end-of-life care for those we love, when they need it most.”
The Government of Saskatchewan committed $1.34 million in 2020-21 to operate the Hospice and has committed to ongoing annual funding. “This new Hospice will provide exceptional care and comfort to individuals and families who are experiencing very difficult circumstances,” says Health Minister Paul Merriman. “Our Government is proud to support it and we congratulate all who contributed to making it a reality.”’
“The new Hospice will provide exceptional care and comfort.” – Minister Paul Merriman
Resident Room at the Hospice at Glengarda
The Hospice is integrated into the continuum of health care in Saskatchewan and there is no need for a separate application to receive care in the Hospice. “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Hospice at Glengarda,” says Jennifer Hiebert, Director of Clinical Integration, Public Health and Home Health – Primary Health Care with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “We want to thank everyone who supported the planning, construction and fundraising efforts during a challenging year. The new Hospice will be integrated into our existing health services and teams to support smooth care transitions for residents and families and will be a valuable support for our community for generations to come.”
If you feel you or your loved one would benefit from palliative services, including hospice care, please discuss with your present health care team. Any member of the care team, including physicians, home care Registered Nurses, and staff from Client Patient Access Services (CPAS) can support a referral to hospice. Our first admission is expected to be in the last week of January. For more information on care at the Hospice at Glengarda, please visit www.samaritanplace.ca.
Due to Covid-19, we are unable to host a Grand Opening event. We invite you view a virtual online tour of the Hospice at Glengarda.
Emmanuel Health governs 12 Catholic Health Care facilities in Saskatchewan including the Hospice at Glengarda
TOUR THE HOSPICE AT GLENGARDA
