The rallying cry of the New West Hospice Society has been heard as the city is responding to “New West needs a hospice!”
On February 10th, the co-presidents and co-founders of the New West Hospice Society made a presentation to City Council about New West’s need for a permanent hospice space.
Dr. Wendy Johnson and Brock Nicholson shared our organization’s history, our goals and mission, and highlighted the numerous programs we offer to the community. This presentation was a grateful follow up to a recent council motion on January 27, presented by Coun. Ruby Campbell, and ongoing financial support from the city through a 3-year grant.
The motion from the January meeting included the directive to work with the New West Hospice Society and external partners to explore potential locations for hospice services. The motion was met with full support.
New Westminster has been without a hospice facility since 2008 when the existing beds were relocated to Delta.
The Hospice Society was founded in 2016 in answer to growing demand for hospice beds in New Westminster. It has been the primary goal of the NWHS to find new hospice space and to continue to provide support through community building and volunteer resources allowing people to die with dignity. Through holistic compassion and family-centered care, the Hospice Society is building a Compassionate Community right here in New Westminster.
We are grateful to City Councillor Ruby Campbell for bringing this motion forward, to Mayor Patrick Johnstone for his support, and to everyone who joined us in conversation and community building, joining us in our mission to find space for a permanent hospice residence in New Westminster.
Watch the presentation from March 10:
