Editor:
Re: Feb. 11 Delta Hospice Society Community Update (Optimist)
The Delta Hospice Society (DHS) is positioning themselves as a victim in this unfolding and unfortunate situation. The reality is that DHS is the perpetrator while the community, especially patients, families and staff are the victims. All of this could have been avoided if DHS had followed Fraser Health policies and guidelines, as per their service agreement.
It is an absolute tragedy that the personal political views of just a few people, can create this angst, anxiety and disruption in our community. DHS, as a party to the lease, were well aware that both the Irene Thomas Hospice and the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care buildings are covered by the same lease, and as such, the entire lease would be terminated causing the need for DHS to vacate the entire property.
Mayor Harvie offered Fraser Health the option that the City of Delta lease the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care. In the Mayor’s letter to Fraser Health, he mentioned the City would consider subleasing the Centre to DHS, but only if a new board was in place. The current board of Delta Hospice can still choose to put the community they serve first to fulfil the Society’s mandate for supportive care.
I applaud Fraser Health for standing strong in their intentions and will support their efforts to reopen a hospice that is welcoming to all. Our community needs to have comfort in knowing that our hospice is a place of peace, compassion and caring regardless of an individual’s end of life choices. Hopefully, the Irene Thomas Hospice health care team will return once the hospice reopens and continue to offer the exemplary care they’ve provided for many years.
It is time for Delta Hospice Society to move out and the DHS board to move on.
Sharon Farrish
