The welcoming of the first patient to Tomkins House Thursday felt bittersweet for Debbie Kesheshian.
The Hospice Huronia executive director said it’s both a time for reflection and celebration that the doors on the five-bed facility are now officially open to patients.
The hospice’s first patient is a Penetanguishene man in his 70s who is suffering from cancer. His wife is also staying with him since each room has a Murphy bed.
“He came in at around 11 a.m., he was transferred from home,” Kesheshian said, noting the man’s medical team and two hospice nurses were waiting to greet him.
“We are excited to be open, but we also know that this means a local family is getting ready to say goodbye to their loved one.”
Kesheshian said cancer-related issues will likely make up about 80 per cent of those requiring care at the Penetanguishene facility, which has also received eight referrals from others who are palliative and might require hospice care.
Kesheshian said she and her team pride themselves on knowing that they will provide loving, dignified care with a focus on pain and symptom management.
“We can’t cure but we can care and our hope is that we can help each resident experience a good death and be available to support the family as best we can,” she said.
But COVID-19 has definitely thrown the organization some curveballs over the past little while.
“The biggest issue was getting masks and having staff tested,” Kesheshian said, noting that since Hopsice Huronia is a relatively new player on the region’s health scene, it wasn’t first in line for the necessary supplies once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
“We are testing everybody who comes in. We want to make sure we stay COVID-free. We’re likely the first hospice in the world to open its doors during a pandemic.”
After the patient's arrival Thursday, Kersheshian went out for groceries since they’re trying to minimize the number of people coming and going. She also stopped by McDonald’s since the man felt like having a fish sandwich and fries for lunch.
And while enhanced protocols have been established to ensure the coronavirus never enters Tomkins House, Kesheshian said it’s especially important for organizations like hospices to keep feeling like a home away from home for those coming to stay.
“It’s important for us to maintain that,” she said. “A hospice is such a personal type of healthcare. We’re trying to keep it as comfortable as possible. We’re a meld between a hospital and a home.”
Tomkins House is named after former Tiny Township resident Nicola Tomkins and her partner Dave Gowen who led the capital campaign for the $4 million build. It features five private rooms that all have Murphy beds so families can stay close. They can also go home to rest knowing their loved one is receiving care 24/7 by a professional palliative-care nursing team.
“There were people who said it could never be done but we did it,” Hospice board chair Marthe Scott said in a release. “We built Tomkins House on time and on budget. We have waited so long for this facility, which will help those at the end of their life to focus on their family and to enjoy every moment. We appreciate our staff and all the volunteers at Hospice Huronia who have shared our vision."
Scott also thanked the community and all of the donors who helped make Tomkins House a reality.
She added: “Our neighbouring hospices, Matthews House, Campbell House and Hospice Simcoe have been amazing and we are grateful for their support and advice.”Hops
