Starting Saturday, December 14, 2024, the entrance to the QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department has changed to 1840 Bell Road. Learn more.
Please plan for extra travel time when coming to the QEII Halifax Infirmary. As of February 18, the easternmost, northbound lane of Robie Street will be closed for the duration of the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project, leaving two lanes open. Expect potential delays and consider alternative routes when possible.
Hospice care is a part of palliative care. A hospice residence provides a home-like setting for people who are nearing the end of life, who don't require care in the hospital, yet have more care needs than can be provided at home, to live to their fullest. Hospice care involves a wide range of services to support patients and their families to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Patients receive professional nursing care with physician support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This includes medical and personal care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Other health care providers, such as social workers, music therapists, and trained volunteers provide emotional, spiritual, grief and bereavement support.
Hospice residences are available to all Nova Scotian’s with a valid health card. Additional costs may apply. Please ask your local hospice what this may mean for you. For example, at Halifax Hospice (operated by the Halifax Hospice Society) medications are supplied by a community pharmacy, so if there is a copay for your medication when you are at home, that may be the same when you are in Hospice. At Valley Hospice and Hospice Cape Breton (operated by Nova Scotia Health) medications are supplied the same as if you were in hospital. If a person requires an ambulance transfer from home to hospice, there may be costs with this. Speak with your hospice team to learn more and if you have any concerns about costs.
There are three hospice residences in Nova Scotia:
Each hospice residence has their own referral and admission process. You can find details here.
The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association is a non-profit association that supports Nova Scotians, their families, and caregivers, who are living and dying with a life-threatening illness by sharing information, local supports, and tools and resources to ensure families and individuals receive the best care possible. The association exists to promote palliative care through networking, public and professional education, advocacy, and research. The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association is not affiliated with Nova Scotia Health.
There are hospice societies across the province that do invaluable work every day. You can find local supports in your area here.
Looking for information on palliative care? You can find local supports in your area here.
618 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B4
(902) 446-0929
info@hospicehalifax.ca
You can find admission details for Halifax Hospice here.
To be referred there are three important documents a health care provider will send to the hospice: A Request for Assessment (.pdf), A Hospice Admission Agreement (.pdf) and a Goals of Care (.pdf) (or similar) document.
The process to have these completed is:
A physician or nurse practitioner will determine if a person meets the eligibility criteria for Hospice.
Patients who wish to be considered for admission to Hospice Cape Breton can be referred to the Palliative Care service in Cape Breton by their physician or nurse practitioner. For more information, please contact 902-567-7846.
To determine if a person is eligible for admission to Hospice Cape Breton, the following criteria must be met:
Much of Nova Scotia's healthcare program and service information is now available on the YourHealthNS mobile app. Download for free on the Apple Store and Android Apps for Google Play.
