One of the communal spaces in the newly-opened St. John Hospice. Photo credit: Brian Kladko

A new comprehensive palliative care facility recently opened at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver.

St. John Hospice will provide 14 bedrooms for individuals in need of end-of-life care. Vancouver Coastal Health will provide operating funds, supporting on-site care delivered by Providence Health Care.

In the lower floor of the building, which is located at 6389 Stadium Road, UBC's Faculty of Medicine will have a palliative care research facility. The faculty is a participating partner in the education component of this building project.

"The physical proximity of the hospice to a teaching facility like UBC Hospital will provide medical residents and other caregivers the opportunity to partake in meaningful learning experiences about dying with dignity, all in a stunning, purpose-built space," said Dr. David Ostrow, Vancouver Coastal Health's president and CEO.

The two-storey facility will also contain communal living and dining space, a family room, garden courtyard and a quiet room for residents and their families.