Victoria Hospice Celebrates 30 Years!

(excerpted from Focus Magazine, April 2010 issue)

Hospice celebrates 30 years of caring for Victorians

Victoria Hospice began in 1980 with a group of individuals committed to improving the quality of care for people dealing with life-limiting illness and bereavement. Nationally and internationally recognized, it is the third-oldest hospice society in the country with three of its original founding members still playing an active role. Many other staff and volunteers have been there for 20 years or more.

Victoria Hospice Executive Director Wayne Peterson attributes this loyalty to the continued focus on creating a culture of compassion and authentic communication. “The emotional health and intelligence of the organization affects directly the care we deliver to patients,” says Peterson.

 “Our attitude with patients reaching the end of life is that this isn't about death, it's about living your life to the fullest with the time that you have, with the best possible care and treatment that can be made available,” asserts Peterson. “Why is there laughter and joy on the ward between the patients and staff? It's that attitude, to support and nurture patients so they can live fully, right to the end of their life.”

Asked how it is that Victoria Hospice has been able to achieve such a long history of success and deep gratitude from the public, Peterson explains that in addition to the funds provided by VIHA for basic contracted services, Victoria Hospice has been able to draw on community support to ensure high quality services that would not be otherwise available through a government-only funded operation. Currently, VIHA pays 45% of the seven-million-dollar budget of Victoria Hospice; 45% comes from the community, and 10% comes from grants and earnings.

When Victoria Hospice opened its doors 30 years ago, it had 35 people registered for palliative end of life care. The number of patients registered on any given day in 2010 now exceeds 350. Last year over 3000 patients and family members were helped directly by Victoria Hospice.

Looking ahead, Peterson is anticipating the huge and imminent increase in demand. “There is mounting pressure for more hospice care within the community. We're now involved in about 65% of the non-traumatic deaths in Victoria. In the next 25 years, there will be a surge in the age of the population, and a need for more space, more staff, and more funding.”

Asked what is needed to ensure Victoria Hospice’s levels of service match the escalating needs of the community, Peterson says unapologetically, “Money and volunteers.” In spite of being awarded “A Recommended Charity” for the second year in a row by the Toronto-based Charity Intelligence Canada – which allows this title for charity organizations that are proven to be well managed – Peterson states that it is more important than ever that the public understands and recognizes the vital role that Victoria Hospice plays in the community. “Our slogan for this year is ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Giving’,” notes Peterson. “It speaks to both our organization’s commitment to giving to our patients and families, and to the community’s commitment to giving us donations that allow us to do our work. It’s a partnership.”

Every donation helps ensure that Victoria Hospice continues to provide quality palliative care and bereavement services to everyone in our community that needs access to these vital resources.

Victoria Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation
250-952-5720
Give online at
www.victoriahospicefoundation.org