VON Peel marks VON Canada's 100th Year of Service to Canadians
Throughout 1997, The VON Peel Branch celebrates VON Canada's 100 Years of Service to Canadians. 1997 marks the Centennial of VON Canada, an organization which has pioneered health- care and social services in communities throughout Canada. VON Canada received its royal charter, and its name, in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. And it was thanks to the persistence and lobbying of Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, wife of Canada's Governor General, that the Victorian Order of Nurses was born. Lady Aberdeen knew it was important to respond to the challenges and needs of Canadian communities, and that distinctively VON tradition remains to the present day.
The Region of Peel has been a long standing
beneficiary of VON's tradition of excellence in health care. From
its beginnings 
in 1919, VON Peel has provided 78 years
of highly skilled care to the Region, while constantly adapting
to meet the challenge of emerging health care needs. All VON
services are tailored to the changing health care needs of the
consumer. Indeed, the VON depends on collaboration with the
community to identify new and emerging needs.
Today's VON nurse is at the forefront of this change, providing a sound base of care for the VON of the future. In 1996-97, the Peel Branch provided over 200,000 hours of care to approximately 7,000 residents in the Peel region. VON Peel provides dependable and accessible comprehensive care designed to meet client needs, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Services provided at the Peel Branch range from Pediatric Care, Palliative Care, Home Support Services (including Eldercare and Caregiver Relief), Foot Care Clinics, Private Care Nursing, Wellness Education, and Visiting Nursing. and Interviews with Nursing staff can be arranged to describe full details of the programs.
Business Development by VON is now a Canada-wide endeavour with programs and services being tailored to address the changing needs of our society and our communities. VON Canada has taken a leading role in its commitment to the development of national contracts effecting the growth and development of all the local branches. VON Peel Branch is often selected as the pilot area for many of the programs.
In honour of VON's Centennial Year, the Peel Branch has received congratulatory messages from local of ficials, including Mississauga MPP's. The City of Mississauga, in a plaque presented to Peel Branch Board Chair Blondina Matheson at its Annual General Meeting on June 9, recognized that "VON has provided skilled nursing to clients of all ages through unique programs which allow people in need in the Peel community to live independently and with dignity"
VON Peel Branch's 250 strong volunteers provide assistance for residents of Peel in ways that make a real difference to quality of life. Volunteers provide assistance to meet the day to day needs of clients through activities such as banking, shopping, and telephone visiting. The Barbara Copeland Award, established in 1995 in honour of Barbara Copeland, a VON nurse who initiated the volunteer program at the Peel Branch, has been presented this year to Jim Hughes, in recognition of his outstanding volunteer work.
VON has been an indispensible part of Canadian life this past century because there has never been a time when VON services have not been needed. VON has provided care for and been supported by Canadians from all walks of life. And as the next century of caring begins,
VON will continue to provide leadership to Canada's evolving health services. In Peel Region, VON will continue to provide excellence in the delivery of innovative, community based nursing and other health care and support services, based on the principles of primary health care. The video "A Second Century of Caring", a look at the history and future prospects of VON is available for viewing,
For further information: Janice Waud
Loper
Development and Communications Officer
VON Peel Branch
905-821 -3242
905-821-9481 extension 242 (direct)
905-821-1700 (fax)
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