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Island Health moving hospice beds from St. Joseph’s

The four hospice care beds at St. Joseph’s General Hospital will be moving to a ‘secular’ facility that allows medical assistance in dying.
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The four hospice care beds at St. Joseph’s General Hospital will be moving to a ‘secular’ facility that allows medical assistance in dying.

The Island Health Authority board of directors announced the decision Thursday at their public board meeting.

Two extra hospice beds will be added to the existing four at another location. The Cumberland Lodge, operated by Island Health, is one place that’s being considered.

St. Joseph’s “respects the decision”, said Jane Murphy, hospital CEO and president.

“We understand this decision did not come lightly for Island Health and while this is very disappointing for St. Joseph’s to have to discontinue the excellent hospice care it has been able to provide to this community since 2015, it is not in any way a reflection of the quality of care that has been provided at Hospice at the Views,” said Murphy in a written statement.

She said that St. Joseph’s is in discussions with Island Health to look at options to replace these beds with another service and are exploring other options such as respite.

St. Joseph’s is owned by the Catholic church and as such doesn’t allow medically assisted dying.