Dear editor,
It‘s exciting to hear that the Comox Valley will finally have hospice beds available for people who are unable to remain at home to die.
When I hear that the Ministry of Health has invested $17 million since 2010 in this care, I do have to ask how much of that has been invested on Vancouver Island?
Personally I think it’s long overdue that this very important kind of care is available in our community. Unfortunately, it will only be four beds when we could easily use twice that many given the number of retirees we have here with no local families to care for them at home.
I am also pleased to know that in doing so, St. Joseph’s General Hospital, The Views and Comox Valley Hospice Society made certain that we would not end up losing any nursing home beds. Kudos to all of them for ensuring that residents of the Views will not be displaced. I also understand they will not be moved to another facility unless it is by their choice. On behalf of all of us who have been in the position to care for loved ones who are dying, thank you to all that have worked so hard to make this happen.
Sheila Gunn
Comox