For Immediate Release
September 15, 2020
(Grand Falls-Windsor)
It was announced today that design work has begun on Lionel Kelland Hospice. The Province’s first community-based hospice will offer palliative care in a home-like setting where dying persons and their loved ones are supported in the end of the life journey.
“The design work is the beginning of a most important phase in the development of Lionel Kelland Hospice,” said Mark Griffin, Board Chair. “This giant leap brings us closer to offering palliative care to people when they are at the most vulnerable point in their lives.” Griffin said the building will house 10 palliative care suites with spaces and supportive services that allow families to be together, share a meal and celebrate the lives of loved ones. The Board Chair credits the success of the Hospice project to the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of the community, the Presentation Sisters and its provincial government partners.
Through a public call for proposals process, the contract for the hospice design was awarded to Fougere Menchenton Architecture, an award-winning firm with broad experience that includes designing buildings for health care. Rob Menchenton says his firm is approaching the hospice design with the belief that everyone deserves a good death, surrounded by family in a peaceful environment. Speaking for the firm, Menchenton said, “We feel it is a privilege to design a place that is sensitive to the needs of people whose lives are ending and to include spaces for holistic care for them and their families.”
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed $3 million to the Hospice project. The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services says, “The Lionel Kelland Hospice is a partnership initiative. It complements work already underway by the Provincial Government to improve health services to ensure better outcomes in the area of home and community care needs. The Lionel Kelland Hospice will provide holistic supports in a home-like environment to patients and their loved ones in the end-of-life journey. The development of this facility is a great example of collaboration between the department and community.”
The design work is expected to take several months and a construction start on Lionel Kelland Hospice is planned for early 2021.
For more information:
Mark Griffin, B.Eng. (Mech), LL.B.
Chair, Board of Directors
Lionel Kelland Hospice
Email: office@lionelkellandhospice.ca
Phone: 709-489-1222
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC
Media Relations Manager
Department of Health and Community Services
Tel: 709-729-6986
Cell: 709-699-1982