BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Palliative care services are coming back to Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center.

The outpatient programs were reduced in May in response to rising costs.

However, an outpouring of community feedback prompted the Medical Center’s Foundation to approve a new palliative care program.

The new focus of the program will be on clinic-based care, with home care options also available.

Existing home health and hospice services will also be integrated into the new program.

Peacehealth St. Joseph is currently hiring for their new outpatient palliative care team, which will be led by specialist Dr. Angie Lee.

The program is expected to launch early next year.