Last week, the BC Throne Speech was delivered by the Lieutenant Governor, Wendy Cocchia, with a significant focus on mental health, indirectly highlighting the importance of services and supports delivered by the Hospice and Palliative Care community. Please read the BCHPCA response below, which emphasizes the need for better grief and bereavement support, as timely care is essential to prevent complex mental health challenges for those experiencing loss. Currently, only 32% of hospice staff provide regulated grief support, and hospices rely on donations to sustain their services. The community calls for increased funding to ensure accessible, low-barrier care, especially in underserved areas, and to address the growing need for support as families cope with grief.

BCHPCA Throne Speech.pdf