Quesnel, B.C.- North Cariboo residents facing life-limiting illnesses and their families will benefit from the new hospice palliative care unit officially opened today at Dunrovin Park Lodge in Quesnel.

 

The new hospice palliative care unit includes three palliative care beds and three respite/short-stay beds. Palliative care focuses on making the last stages of life as comfortable and as peaceful as possible for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Respite care aims to ease the strain on family caregivers supporting loved ones, and the remaining three short-stay beds are for convalescence.

 

The new hospice unit rooms are modern and homey, equipped with state-of-the-art health-care equipment as well as home-like amenities so patients can spend their last days with specialized care, relaxed and comfortable, and surrounded by family and friends.

 

“Redevelopment of Dunrovin Park Lodge, including the addition of the new hospice palliative care unit, is part of Northern Health’s on-going work to provide a range of health-care services that meet community needs,” said Michael McMillan, Northern Interior chief operating officer. “The opening of palliative care beds will also help alleviate pressure on our acute care beds in the North Cariboo.”

 

Project funding for renovating and expanding Dunrovin Park Lodge was shared by the Province through Northern Health ($12 million) and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) ($8 million). The City of Quesnel assisted in gaining necessary approvals for the project to proceed, including land acquisition and rezoning.   The Quesnel and District Palliative Care Association raised and contributed over $600,000 to develop palliative care beds and purchase furniture for the hospice unit.