By Corey Fischer

Hospice Relocation On Day To Day Basis

May 11, 2018 | 10:32 AM

Patients from Vernon’s Hospice House continue to stay at other facilities due to flooding concerns.

Eight patients were relocated to Jubilee Hospital, and one was transferred to the Gateby care home, on Wednesday as levels of nearby BX Creek rose around two feet.

Interior Health and the North Okanagan Hospice Society say the situation is being monitored daily with the goal of returning patients to Hospice House as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“We wish to thank all those involved in the proactive relocation of nine patients on May 9 in response to flooding concerns,” says Yvonne Taylor, North Okanagan Community Health Service Administrator, Interior Health.

“Emergency response planning began at 2 p.m. with the objective being safe, timely, quality transfers for these patients. Planning included notification to patient families by Hospice House leadership team. Ambulance transfers began at approximately 3:30 – and by 6:30 p.m. all patients and families were safely settled in their new rooms.”

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Taylor says there has been excellent collaboration between everyone involved, including staff at Hospice House, the North Okanagan Community Health team, VJH teams, Gateby staff, patient transportation, Human Resources, Pharmacy and many others.

“We’d like to thank everyone involved for ensuring all went as smoothly as possible for these patients and families. Our number one priority is safe, quality care. We recognize this is a difficult time for these patients and families – we continue to work closely with Hospice House staff and are doing everything possible to meet the individual needs of these patients and their families.”

Ruth Edwards, executive director of the Hospice Society, says their board, management, staff and volunteers are thanking the emergency protocol professionals at Interior Health, and the staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as well as Gateby Residential Care for their assistance in transferring the Hospice patients.

“With their support, the goal of providing quality end-of-life care for the nine patients who were transferred was achieved. We are grateful that the care and safety of our patients was at the forefront of every decision. Hospice is also grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. We look forward to getting Hospice House “back to normal” as soon as it is safe to do so.”

by Corey Fischer