Successful revitalization project signals ‘deep community commitment’ to hospice palliative care

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Dorothy Ley Hospice staff, volunteers, and physician partners are celebrating a significant milestone as they welcome back residents and families to the revitalized hospice residence at 220 Sherway Drive, Etobicoke. Thanks to a partnership with Trillium Health Partners, all hospice services were relocated to the nearby McCall Centre for Continuing Care in January 2024 to ensure access to care during construction.

“The success of this project is a testament to the deep community commitment to hospice palliative care,” says Donna Cansfield, Dorothy Ley Hospice Board Chair. “There’s growing recognition of the value of the person-centred hospice palliative care approach within the healthcare system—and a shared dedication to its flourishing.”

The move back is a milestone in a multi-year initiative to improve the hospice building. Key achievements include:

• Identification of the temporary site and the development of the relocation plan with Trillium Health Partners that gained approval from provincial agencies to proceed
• The set up of our temporary site and initial move of residents and families in December 2023
• The continuation of all regular programming, including spiritual and wellness care, customized meals and a family space during the temporary relocation
• The successful move of Individuals and their families on June 26 back to our newly renovated Hospice residence

“This endeavour supports our 2023-2028 strategic plan A Community of Care for Today and Tomorrow,” says Dipti Purbhoo, Dorothy Ley Hospice Executive Director. “It has increased our capacity and will provide additional comforts while also improving the quality and safety of care, ultimately supporting our vision of exceptional hospice palliative care for everyone in our community.”

The revitalized space includes:

• Upgrades to the two temporary hospice rooms providing 12 fully functional hospice rooms
• New air conditioning system, an infection control isolation room, and an improved residential call response system
• Enhanced care team station and locked medication preparation room
• New family care suite and family shower room
• Improved and expanded wellness suite

To see images of the move and new space, visit the album on Dorothy Ley Hospice’s Facebook page.

Throughout the relocation to McCall, more than 90 people—and, by extension, close to 250 caregivers—were supported during the final weeks of life. Hospice staff and volunteers worked alongside staff from Extendicare, which manages care at the McCall Centre.

“Partnership is one of our core commitments as an organization—we recognize that together we can achieve more—and that certainly has come to life through this initiative,” says Purbhoo. “We’re grateful to Trillium Health Partners and Extendicare  for partnering to make this possible. We’re also thankful to Roberto Chiotti, founding principal at Larkin Architect and BDA Inc., our general contractor, who worked closely with us to make sure we could realize our wishes on a tight budget.”  

Notes Cansfield, “Since we envisioned this project, we’ve had the support of the Ministry of Health—starting with their funding of our initial expansion at the end of 2022 to bring in two temporary beds. Our generous donors have played a major role with capital funding. And hospice staff and volunteers have been extraordinary all the way along—it couldn’t have happened without them. My thanks to everyone involved, on behalf of the board and the many community members who will benefit for years to come.”

Move comes as hospice celebrates 35 years

The revitalized residence opens as Dorothy Ley Hospice celebrates 35 years of care. The hospice has events planned for the fall, including an open house for partners and supporters and a celebratory social event in honour of the anniversary—where the hospice has come from and where it is going.