In just six years, Hospice Muskoka has grown from the opening of Andy’s House in 2020 to the launch of Andy’s House at Home in 2025, evolving into a leading provider of specialized, community-based palliative care that now supports more than 500 individuals and families across Muskoka each year.
Through Hospice Muskoka – Andy’s House and Andy’s House at Home, the organization provides essential clinical care, pain and symptom management, caregiver support, and grief and bereavement services, helping individuals and families navigate life-limiting illnesses with dignity and support.
Hospice Muskoka was the first Nurse Practitioner-Led Hospice in Ontario, pioneering a model of care that has helped shape the future of hospice services across the province. The Nurse Practitioners who contributed to the original model are now working with other hospices to guide them through adopting the NP Led Model. As demand for specialized palliative care continues to grow; so will the demand for more NP Leadership in hospice settings.
A Valuable Partner in Ontario’s Healthcare System
Palliative care is about more than end-of-life care. It focuses on improving quality of life, managing complex symptoms and supporting individuals and families living with serious illnesses, ensuring they receive the right care, in the right setting, at the right time.
Hospice Muskoka is an essential partner in delivering this care. Through its specialized clinical programs, the organization brings care closer to home and reduces reliance on costly hospital-based services. By providing appropriate alternatives to hospital care, Hospice Muskoka helps ease pressure on hospitals, supports families, and contributes to a more efficient and sustainable use of public healthcare resources.
As demand for specialized palliative care continues to grow, Hospice Muskoka’s role within the healthcare system becomes increasingly important.
A Shared Investment in Essential Care
Approximately 50% of Hospice Muskoka’s operating costs are funded through community donations, with the remaining support provided through government funding. 100% of the wage costs for our Nurse Practitioners is paid by donor dollars.
As Hospice Muskoka continues to expand its services and clinical capacity, there is an important opportunity for greater government recognition and sustainable investment in the role community-based hospices play within Ontario’s healthcare system.
Hospice Muskoka is calling on the provincial government to provide long-term funding that reflects the essential role Nurse Practitioners play in Ontario’s healthcare system. While the generosity of donors and community partners remains invaluable, the responsibility of sustaining essential palliative care services cannot rest on community fundraising alone.
As Donna Kearney, CEO of Hospice Muskoka, explains:
“Since opening Andy’s House in 2020, we have seen tremendous growth in both the services we provide and the impact we have across our community. We are proud to have been the first Nurse Practitioner-Led hospice in Ontario and to have helped demonstrate what this model of care can achieve. Our role in healthcare continues to evolve, and the need for specialized palliative services is growing. The partnership between our healthcare providers, dedicated professionals, government and the generosity of our community is what makes this model possible. Sustaining and growing these services will require appropriate government funding.”
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead, our commitment remains the same: to strengthen our model, expand access to care and ensure individuals and families throughout Muskoka receive the support they deserve. We commit to guiding other hospices to adopt the NP Led model because we have demonstrated the value of having a 24/7 prescriber available to lead the clinical teams and to provide timely access to care for palliative people.
This National Nurse Practitioner Week, we recognize the healthcare professionals, volunteers, partners and donors who have helped make Hospice Muskoka’s growth possible. Their contributions have built something significant for our community, and continued investment from both government and our community will help ensure it remains strong for generations to come.
Quality palliative care is an essential part of a strong healthcare system.
To learn more about Hospice Muskoka and its programs, visit www.hospicemuskoka.com.
To learn more about Nurse Practitioners visit Home – NPAO
