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.”
“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.”
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.”