Editor:
While I applaud the desire to have a third hospice bed, "Hike for a new hospice bed" (Coast Reporter, April 13) states that "every day, every week of the year" the existing two hospice rooms are occupied. Because of connections with staff who work in palliative care, I know the hospice beds are sometimes empty, as they are today (April 16 as I pen this letter).
The all or nothing approach expressed in the article does not reflect the reality of palliative care on the Coast. The article implies that dying in hospital is a poor substitute for dying either at home or in hospice. It's true that to die in the hospital is a completely different experience, but not everyone who dies in hospital is there by default - due to lack of hospice or home care. Some people want the security of dying in a hospital and others need the specialized care the hospital provides.
The key issue is to have options around end of life care - that we have choices as to where we want to die. I am grateful that our community offers a very responsive palliative homecare program and that we have skilled staff at both hospice and the hospital. A third hospice bed will certainly add to the options already available.
Kate Richards
Sechelt
