Hospices in London, Ontario (2027): St. Joseph's Hospice, Elgin and Referrals
London's hospice is St. Joseph's Hospice, a 10-suite residence where anyone can start the referral through Ontario Health atHome. Plus Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin in St. Thomas, free community programs and grief support.
By Jonathan Kennedy · Last reviewed November 2026
On this page (5 sections)
London's residential hospice is St. Joseph's Hospice, a 10-suite residence on Windermere Road where each suite has overnight space for family. As of November 2026 its care is free, and admission is decided by Ontario Health atHome: a health care provider, a family member or your parent can start the referral by calling 519-473-2222. St. Thomas has its own residence, Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin.
You don't need a doctor to make the first move in London, which helps when you're the one noticing that things are changing. One call starts the assessment, and the hospice's community team can support you in the meantime.
Do this next:
- Call Ontario Health atHome at 519-473-2222 to start the hospice referral; your parent needs a valid OHIP card.
- Call St. Joseph's Community and Supportive Care at 519-931-3474 for free visiting, counselling and complementary therapies.
- Plan for nights at home while you wait: compare home care agencies in London for palliative shifts.
Which hospices serve London and Elgin?
| Hospice | Where | What we confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph's Hospice | 485 Windermere Road, 3rd floor, London | 10 suites with overnight family space; free; 519-438-2102 |
| Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin | 8 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas | No cost for the stay; guest suite stays for family; 519-631-7495 |
Hospice of London joined St. Joseph's Health Care Society in 2012, and the London residence opened in January 2014, so you'll still see both names. In Strathroy, a hospice is being fundraised but isn't open yet.
How do you get a hospice bed in London?
- Start the referral. St. Joseph's accepts referrals from "a health-care provider, family member, or you can make a referral for yourself," through Ontario Health atHome (519-473-2222).
- Eligibility is assessed. Ontario Health atHome decides eligibility; your parent needs a valid OHIP card.
- For St. Thomas, all applications to the Elgin hospice also go through Ontario Health atHome: ask your care coordinator, or call 310-2222 with no area code.
What does hospice cost in London?
The care is free. St. Joseph's says "all programs and services are offered at no cost." In St. Thomas there's "no cost for your stay," though families may pay for medications the Ontario Drug Benefit doesn't cover, personal comfort items and visitors' meals.
What support is there before and after?
- Community and Supportive Care (St. Joseph's): for adults in London living with a terminal illness, or grieving a death from illness in the last two years. It includes a visiting program, counselling, spiritual care, complementary therapies and grief groups, at no cost, and you can call directly.
- Grief counselling in Elgin: six free sessions (519-631-7495 ext. 143), plus group programs open to anyone in the community.
Our take: in London, make the call yourself rather than waiting for an appointment. Families can start the referral, and the earlier Ontario Health atHome assesses your parent, the more options you'll have when a suite opens.
What should you ask the hospice?
- Has Ontario Health atHome sent our referral, and what's the wait?
- Can I stay overnight in my parent's suite?
- Which costs might fall to us, such as medications?
- What grief support can the family use afterwards?
Frequently asked questions
Is there a hospice in London, Ontario?
Yes. St. Joseph's Hospice at 485 Windermere Road has a 10-suite residence with overnight space for family in each suite, and its care is free. Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin in St. Thomas serves Elgin County.
Can I refer my parent to St. Joseph's Hospice myself?
Yes. St. Joseph's accepts referrals from a health care provider, a family member or the person themselves. Call Ontario Health atHome at 519-473-2222, which decides eligibility. A valid OHIP card is required.
What happened to Hospice of London?
Hospice of London partnered with St. Joseph's Health Care Society on April 1, 2012, creating St. Joseph's Hospice of London. Its residence on Windermere Road opened in January 2014.
Is the St. Thomas hospice free?
Yes for the stay. Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin says there's no cost for your stay, though families may pay for medications not covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit, personal comfort items and visitors' food.
Last reviewed November 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
Need personal guidance?
Our advisors can help you apply this to your family, free and confidential.
