Thanks to the hard work and dedication of home health, home hospice/palliative care and hospice staff across Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence health Care, replacement hospice beds are now fully available to replace the ones which were temporarily closed in December due to a flood at the newly opened St. John Hospice at UBC.

Where are the replacement beds located?

The replacement beds are located at the two following sites:

• Five palliative care beds at St. Paul’s Hospital PCU
• Five hospice beds at the North Shore Hospice

The beds are accessible to patients through Vancouver Community’s Palliative Access Line –  604-263-7255

“We tried to locate additional available hospice beds in Vancouver, but none were available that could be medically equipped within a tight timeframe,” said Janice Lochbaum, Director Home Health, Palliative and Hospice, Vancouver Community. “Staff will work closely with families to ensure that a transfer of their loved one to the North Shore is a workable temporary solution for all involved.”

Beds at St. John Hospice were closed December 7 when a broken water pipe flooded the facility.

Who are the beds for?

The 10 replacement beds will accommodate end-of-life patients until St. John Hospice UBC reopens in late March.  Hospice beds in Vancouver also continue to be available at May’s Place and Cottage Hospice.

“We are thankful for the assistance of North Shore Hospice, St. Paul’s Hospital, VGH and Vancouver Community staff and leaders,” said Lochbaum. “The teams at these sites worked together not only to accept impacted hospice patients immediately after the flood, but also to create the replacement beds that are required for patients until the UBC beds are back in operation.”