Ontario Expanding Access to Palliative Care in Richmond Hill
August 26, 2025
3 new hospice beds in Richmond Hill will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home
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RICHMOND HILL — The Ontario government is connecting more people in York Region to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 3 new hospice beds at Hill House Hospice. This is part of an expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds across the province announced earlier this year, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768.
“For nearly three decades, Hill House Hospice has provided families across Richmond Hill with comprehensive and compassionate palliative care,” said Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill. “I am grateful for this three-bed investment from the Ministry of Health which will allow the hospice to expand its services and care for loved ones closer to home. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the staff, board members, and volunteers at Hill House Hospice for continuing to serve our community with dignity, empathy, and respect.”
This expansion is part of the province’s up to $19.75 million capital investment to add 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. When these 84 new beds are open, the province will provide an additional up to $16.03 million per year to support the operation of these beds.
“Our government is ensuring people and their families have access to the comprehensive care they need in their community, close to their loved ones, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the expansion of end-of-life care in communities across the province, we are taking another step to connect Ontarians to compassionate and specialized care closer to home.”
Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of beds at Hill House Hospice to 6.
As a next step, the ministry is working with Hill House Hospice to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.
Through the Ontario government’s Your Health plan, the province is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, where and when they need it. This includes investing up to $147.4 million over three years to expand access to palliative care services, including increasing funding by 45 per cent for all hospice beds across the province, with additional increases for hospice beds in smaller sites of six beds or less.
QUICK FACTS
Palliative care, which includes end-of-life care, can begin as early as the diagnosis of a serious illness and focuses on improving the quality of each individual’s life. This integrated form of care ensures people can access the support they need when facing illness, death, grief, and/or bereavement.
The Ontario Palliative Care Network (OPCN) , led by Ontario Health, is a partnership of health service providers (including hospices, long-term care homes, hospitals and others), community and social support service organizations, health system planners, Ontario Health Teams, and patient and family/care partner advisors, formed to develop a coordinated, standardized approach to palliative care.
Quotes
“Hill House Hospice is a place of compassion, dignity, and comfort for people and families facing
life’s most challenging moments. By adding three new beds, we can ensure more neighbours
receive care closer to the people and community they love. This investment is part of our
government’s commitment to connecting Ontarians to the highest quality of palliative care in a
setting that feels safe, familiar, and supportive.”
– Michael Parsa
“This expansion means more families in Richmond Hill will have access to the compassionate, highquality care offered by Hill House Hospice. I’ve proudly supported their campaign to increase
hospice beds, and I’m grateful to the Provincial government and the Ministry of Health for investing
in our community. Hill House Hospice’s home-like setting and focus on both patient and family
needs make it a vital part of our local health care system. Today marks a meaningful step forward in
ensuring care is available close to home—at every stage of life.”
– David West
“Hill House Hospice extends its heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Health and the Provincial
Government for their generous support in providing operational funding for three additional hospice
beds. This meaningful investment enhances our ability to serve more families in Richmond Hill and
Southern York Region with the compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care they deserve.
We are deeply grateful for this funding, which reflects a shared commitment to making care
accessible within the community—close to home, and at a time when it matters most. With these
additional beds, more individuals and families will experience the comfort and dignity they desire in
our home-like setting, where both resident needs and family support are central to our mission.
We sincerely thank the Ministry for recognizing the essential role hospice care plays in the broader
health system. This support allows us to begin addressing the growing needs of our community and
strengthens our vision of equitable, affordable, person-centered care for all.”
– Dr. Janet Morse
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES