The Camp Hill Veterans Services, located at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, celebrates its centenary this year. Announced just this week by the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Her Royal Highness, Anne, the Princess Royal has agreed to become its royal patron.
Camp Hill was one of the first military hospitals to open in Canada. It began treating veterans in the autumn of 1917. Quoted by the press release from the Nova Scotia Health Authority, the mandate of the Veterans Affairs Canada states that the responsibility of Camp Hill is to “provide exemplary veteran-directed long term care and services that respond to the needs of the veterans who live there and their families, in grateful recognition of their service to Canada.”
This is a fitting patronage for Anne; she serves as both the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Medical Services and Colonel-in-Chief of a number of Army regiments. She is also Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Heather White, director of Camp Hill Veterans Services, said in the press release: “It is a thrill and an honour to the staff and physicians, and most importantly the residents of Camp Hill, to have the patronage of the Princess Royal as we celebrate 100 years of service to veterans and the community, as well as the 150th anniversary of Confederation.”
Veterans Affairs of Canada determines whether a veteran is eligible to stay or live permanently at Camp Hill. Currently, there are 175 veterans living there. Eligible veterans can stay at Camp Hill for a short visit; a “respite” visit is for 30 days out of a year.
To allow the veterans to live the best quality of life possible, they may participate in several activities such as gardening, music therapy, baking, playing cards and other games, shopping trips and other activities that allow them to remain social and active.
Three of the seven living area focus on caring for those veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Safety features are also in place to protect those residents who would normally be unsafe if they were to leave the facility.