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Dear Member of HVRA
About 10 years ago when Drs. Hospital transformed itself into KHC, the predecessor of HVRA, the Sussex Ulster Residents' Association made the pitch that the Chapel at north end of the property and which was built in the early 1880's be preserved .
KHC agreed but on the proviso that KHC would not be responsible for refurbishing the building for some future tenant.... that such a tenant would undertake that makeover themselves and at their own expense.

No tenant ever materialized and so the Chapel has been un-occupied ever since.

This week I have been informed by Bill O'Neill, Executive Director of KHC that money has been found to refurbish the Chapel for the purpose of turning it into a Community Hospice.

FYI:
1: KHC has applied for a minor variance at Committee of Adjustment with respect to side setbacks
2: KHC has had extensive input from the Heritage and Preservation Services
at City of Toronto. KHC has made a commitment to maintain and or restore to
the original façade of the Chapel. As some of you may know, the front part of the building on Major Street is an add-on perhaps in the 1920's and the restoration will remove that add-on and expose the original windows and brick.

Below, Bill O'Neill outlines the scope of the enterprise. Please have a look and let me know if you have any concerns about this project. If there are any concerns, HVRA would convene a public meeting to discuss them with the applicants.

Here is Mr. O'Neil's message:

Gus Sinclair
President HVRA

Dear Gus,

As I previously mentioned to you, Kensington Health Centre intends to establish a 10-bed Residential Hospice Home and Palliative Care program, by renovating the century-old Chapel on Major Street on the Kensington Health Centre site. As you know we have been wanting to bring back the old Chapel to its original state and a program like a residential hospice gives is a purpose and a focus to direct resources for a restoration. This program is an extension of the Mission, Vision and Values of Kensington Health Centre.

Goal

The goal of the Kensington Hospice will be to optimize a terminally ill individual’s quality of life through symptom control and meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of both the individual and his/her loved ones.

By developing the proposed 10-bed residential hospice, Kensington Health Centre will be providing the option to those who are living the last days of their life to die in a home-like setting.

Residential Hospice Palliative Care

Residential Hospice palliative care is an approach to care that is designed to provide comfort and relief of suffering at the end of life. The development of hospice beds outside the acute care hospital setting is an identified community need and is an integral part of the Hospice Palliative Care Service.

The Residential Hospice Palliative Care Team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, pharmacists and other health care professionals as well as chaplains and volunteers to provide hospice palliative care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in their care you can expect:

* to be valued and given time
* to be accorded respect, privacy and dignity
* to be responded to with empathy, especially when in distress
* to be listened to and for communication to be sensitive and honest
* to be shown understanding of your individual beliefs, lifestyle and culture.

In order to accommodate 10 beds we will be adding a small addition on the west side of the Chapel to accommodate an elevator and a family respite room, as well as storage in the basement.

We would like to encourage neighbours to come by and view the plans . Drawings for the proposed project can be viewed in the lobby at 25 Brunswick

Bill O’Neill
Executive Director
Kensington Health Centre