History of Hospice Orillia

Hospice Orillia started in September 1988, at a meeting joining two groups; one community based, one hospital based. Both groups were interested in developing support services for terminally ill people of Orillia and area.

The hospital-based group had recently formed a friendly visiting network, and the community based group wished to support this service and extend it to the community.  Also, the hope was to provide palliative care education to the community, so that terminally ill patients would experience improved medical care.

Hospice Orillia became incorporated in November 1989, and received a charitable number in early 1990. We became members of CHAO (Community Hospice Association of Ontario) in 1990.

In 2011, the Hospice Association of Ontario integrated with the Ontario Palliative Care Association, becoming Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. In 2012, Hospice Orillia received Level II accreditation with HPCO.

On June 3, 2014, Hospice Orillia and the North Simcoe Muskoka Palliative Care Network amalgamated. This merger resulted in a new name: The North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network. This integration was completed to improve the service delivery for both agencies, by using our administrative resources more effectively. Hospice Orillia continues to provide the same great hospice program the community has enjoyed for over 25 years. It operates formally as “Hospice Orillia – A Division of the North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network.”

2024-2025 Annual Report

Board of Directors: http://nsmhpcn.ca/about/board-of-directors/

Current Annual Report: https://hospiceorillia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2425-Annual-Report-Report.pdf

Historical Annual Reports & Financial Statements: http://nsmhpcn.ca/annual-reports/

Accessibility: http://nsmhpcn.ca/about/accessibility-policy/

MSAA: https://nsmhpcn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-24_MSAA_CSS_4828_NSMHPCN.pdf

By-Laws: https://hospiceorillia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NSMHPCN-By-Laws-ammended-June-27-2022.pdf 

Current Org Chart: http://nsmhpcn.ca/about/organizational-chart/

Hospice Orillia is a member of the Bereavement Ontario Network and Hospice Association of Ontario. Hospice Orillia also gratefully acknowledges ongoing financial support from the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network.

Mission

Hospice Orillia offers practical, emotional and spiritual support to those in our community coping with advanced illness, death and bereavement. Our volunteers and staff serve clients and their loved ones of all ages and backgrounds with compassion and respect, while honouring their choices and supporting them through their life journey.

Vision

Hospice Orillia will be recognized as a leader in both providing and advocating for Hospice Palliative Care services within our community. We will enhance the awareness and understanding of the need for these services through education, collaboration and community involvement.

Philosophy

We believe that death is a part of life, a rite of passage. There is much that can be done to help individuals and their families face this time with dignity and quality in their lives. Each person is unique and his or her distinctness will be respected within an atmosphere of confidentiality.

Inclusion

Hospice Orillia is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. Hospice Orillia’s programs, services and opportunities will be accessible regardless of age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance, a record of offences, sex, or sexual orientation. Hospice Orillia provides a positive space to both clients, volunteers and staff.