Our history dates back to 1988 when the HIV/AIDS Support Group of Sudbury was formed to provide bilingual services, offer assistance and facilitate access to health care to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and to their families.  In 1996, the Support Group opened Maison La Paix, the only supportive housing program (4 beds) for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Ontario. In March 2005, Maison La Paix received approval from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to serve generic palliative residents. Following a successful capital campaign that raised $4.1 million, the Sudbury community residential hospice opened its doors in September 2008, at the same time that Maison La Paix closed its operations.

Situated in a serene and peaceful environment on Bethel Lake, our unique architecture provides a residence which looks and feels like home.  It provides individuals with privacy yet open access to common spaces to interact with other residents and families.

Between September 2008 and December 2015, over 1,100 residents have lived their last journey at the Hospice, surrounded by family and friends, as well as caring staff and volunteers.  Of that total, 64% of residents came directly from home, 29% from hospital, 5% from the Emergency Department and 2% from long-term care facilities; 89% had a cancer diagnosis and 69% were over the age of 65.  The average length of stay is currently 21 days, with an occupancy rate of 94%.

MMH has since expanded its programs and services beyond its  
10-bed community residential hospice.

In April 2013, the Hospice received funding from the North East Local Health Integration Network (NELHIN) for a Shared Care Team (SCT).  While collaborating with clients’ current health service providers, the SCT provides integrated, multi-disciplinary HPC consultation and education.

In April 2014, Warmhearts Palliative Caregivers integrated with MMH, and the program is now called Visiting Hospice Service (VHS).  Warmhearts began in 1986 as the Sudbury Regional Palliative Care Association.  It received its charitable status in 1987, and the first Volunteer Visiting Hospice Service was developed in 1989.  The VHS matches trained volunteers with clients, and their families, who are living with a life-threatening or terminal illness.  MMH offers mandatory training to visiting and residential hospice volunteers in both official languages.

In September 2014, MMH launched a Pediatric HPC Pilot Project to admit and care for a child between the ages of 12 to 18 years with a cancer diagnosis.  The first youth was admitted in January 2016.

In June 2015, the NELHIN Board of Directors supported MMH’s request for the designation of its services under the French Language Services Act.  At the time of publishing this booklet, the designation proposal was in the hands of the Ontario Office of Francophone Affairs.