The community will soon have a better idea of the range of health and community services that will be part of the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care on the Irene Thomas Hospice campus in Ladner.
Fraser Health has confirmed with the Optimist that the health authority has completed consultation with key community stakeholders in Delta.
Some of the organizations and people Fraser Health liaised with included: Tsawwassen First Nations, City of Delta, Delta Hospital and Community Foundation, White Rock-South Surrey Division of Family Practice, Heron Hospice Society, Alzheimer’s Society of B.C., Parkinson Society British Columbia and local palliative care physicians.
“These conversations were important steps regarding the future of the facility to ensure it is used to best serve the community,” said Fraser Health in an email to the Optimist. “Services at the site will include grief and bereavement support, seniors programs on healthy aging, and caregiver supports. We reached out directly to a number of organizations to find out which programs, services and/or workshops would be beneficial to the community and also suitable to be provided at the centre.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our community stakeholders. We are reviewing the feedback we have received and will release the findings to the community when they are finalized.”
Fraser Health assumed control of the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care on the Irene Thomas Hospice campus after a two-year power struggle with the Delta Hospice Society who originally operated both the supportive care centre and the Hospice.
After lengthy legal battles, Fraser Health took over the operations, while many previous board members, who either left the Delta Hospice Society board of directors or were not re-elected to the board, helped form the Heron Hospice Society.
Heron is active in the community offering a variety of on-line services including grief circle, grief companions, counselling, vigil services, therapeutic touch, remembrance ceremonies and relaxation circle.
The Delta Hospice Society is also still active in the community offering virtual services as well.
