The provincial government is providing $900,000 for improved access to hospice palliative care in Langley.
The BC Centre for Palliative Care is distributing the funding to the Langley Hospice Society towards five new hospice beds at the Langley Hospice Residence. The target completion date is spring, 2019.
"It's critical our local hospice can offer support and services close to home when families need it most," said Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman.
"Langley Hospice Society is dedicated to the compassionate services they provide during a vulnerable time for patients and their families."
The Ministry of Health and health authorities collaborated with the BC Centre for Palliative Care to determine how the funds would be allocated by studying B.C.'s palliative population data to assess characteristics such as age, underlying cause of death and geography.
Current bed-to-population ratios and home-based palliative services were also looked at, as well as projections of future demand.
"Palliative care is an integral part of our health-care system," said Langley MLA Mary Polak.
"It is a government investment that enables us to look after the people we love."
The BC Centre for Palliative Care was established in 2013 by the Institute for Health System Transformation and Sustainability to support palliative and end-of-life care practices based on evidence, education and innovation to improve and support care for those living with and dying from serious illness and their families.