Hospice Greater Saint John

Our History

Hospice Greater Saint John was established in 1983 as a community, non-profit charity by Dr. Nancy Grant, a Radiation Oncologist at the Saint John Regional Hospital (formerly the General Hospital).

“Medical needs encompass more than the needs of the body. They include emotional, social, psychological and spiritual needs. In the last phase of life, these other needs may even surpass bodily needs.” – Dr. Nancy Grant, Radiation Oncologist

In 1982, Dr. Grant looked for programs to support her dying patients and found none. She took a year’s leave of absence to establish Hospice. Two decades later, Hospice continues to thrive as an entirely community-funded service.

In October 2002, Dr. Grant was given the Order of New Brunswick for establishing Hospice Greater Saint John. She continues to actively work to enhance Hospice services in our community and is leading the development of a Residential Hospice Program – our plan for the future.

Our Mission

To ease suffering and enhance the quality of life for people facing advanced illness, death and bereavement.

Our Vision

Quality hospice palliative care for all.

Our Role

Hospice is a community charity that provides non-medical support programs and services to people and families coping with advancing illness, caregiving, death and bereavement. Hospice volunteers and staff work with our medical partners - Extra-Mural, Family Physicians, Radiation Oncology Specialists, the Palliative Care Unit and other hospital healthcare team members – to help people to live as well as possible with a disease that has no cure and support families to cope with loss.

Caring for others when they need it most is an honour for all of us at Hospice. We understand how difficult and frightening it can be for families facing advancing illness, caregiving, death and grief. We know the journey is more manageable when we have the support of others. That’s where Hospice comes in. We are committed to providing the best care and support possible to those we serve.

Our Accomplishments
• Founded in 1983.
• Trained and implemented the first group of community Hospice volunteers in 1984.
• Established family grief support services in 1987.
• Established Atlantic Canada’s first Therapeutic Humour/Care Clown Program in 2002.
• Established Hospice services in the community of Sussex in 2003.
• Established a Hospice Palliative Care Clinic/Home Consultation Service in partnership with the Saint   John Regional Hospital in 2004.
• Received a national award from The Canadian Donner Foundation for innovation in senior’s healthcare   programming and for our solid non-profit business management practices in both 2004 and again in   2005.
• Received the 2005 New Brunswick Day Merit Award to honour our contributions to the community.
• Hosted the first-ever provincial Hospice Forum in 2005 to provide leadership and support to New   Brunswick’s community Hospice organizations.
• Invested in the development of spiritual care at the end-of-life in 2005.
• Established Atlantic Canada’s first stand-alone Hospice House in May 2006 – Bobby’s Hope House.
• Established a new Day Hospice Program and Family Caregiver Lunch & Learn Program at Bobby’s   Hope House in the Fall of 2006.
• Purchased the Saint Joseph's Convent from the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception to   establish a Residential Hospice.

Our Support Services
• Hospice supported a total of 605 people and families last year (April 2005 - March 2006).
• Over 5,000 people have received Hospice support since we began operating in 2003. With the death of    one person affecting an average of 5 others, Hospice has positively touched the lives of over 25,000    people in our community in 23 years.
• Hospice currently supports 44% of the people and families in our community that are living with a    terminal illness. Last year, we provided support to 348 people living with a terminal illness and 456    families coping with grief. Demand for our services is growing as the population ages and life    threatening illnesses rise.
• 93% of the people who received our palliative support services last year (April 2005 - March 2006) were    over the age of 50.
• 56% were male and 44% were female.
• 76% had cancer. Hospice also supports people who are living with end stage illness - heart disease,    lung disease, kidney disease, neurological disorders and AIDS.
• The average length of service was 48 days. The earlier the Hospice referral, the better for all involved.    Most people are ready for Hospice support when facing the last 3-6 months of life.
• Hospice offers the following non-medical support services:

• Our average cost/client (April 2005 - March 2006) was $449 (encompasses all Hospice operating expenses)

Our Funding
Hospice Greater Saint John is a registered charity. Our charitable registration number is BN 118963743 RR 0001. At present, our annual budget is $270,000. We receive no government funding. We rely on community donations to fund our free programs and services. Our revenue sources include:

• United Way Funding - 16%
• Grants Revenue - 28%
• Special Event/Fundraising Revenue - 26%
• General Donations - 16%
• Education Revenue -14%

We spend 75% of our funding on program delivery and development. Only 10% goes to administration and 15% to fundraising.

We all want to make a difference - to help friends in need. And, we’d like to know that something we have done has been important to the lives of others. Invest in the work of Hospice Greater Saint John. You will help people when they need it the most – many of whom may be your friends, neighbours and loved ones. For more information on donating to Hospice, click here.