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January 31, 2017 - 3:18 PM
VICTORIA - The Province has provided $50,000 for improved access to hospice palliative care in Salmon Arm.
"Entering life's final stages can be a difficult and confusing time for families and patients alike. The funding provided to the Shuswap Hospice Society will go towards educational services to help give families peace of mind during their loved one's stay in palliative care," said Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo.
The BC Centre for Palliative Care distributed $40,000 to the Shuswap Hospice Society to support a palliative-respite/day-hospice program.
As well, the centre, in partnership with the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association, allocated a $10,000 seed grant to the Shuswap Hospice Society to support patients and families.
Examples of seed grant projects include workshops educating the public about advance care planning; recruiting and training volunteers to link patients with serious illness and families to the available local services; and public awareness campaigns about palliative-care supports.
The Ministry of Health and health authorities collaborated with the centre 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.
"Those nearing end-of-life and their loved ones deserve timely, well-co-ordinated, compassionate care as close to home as possible," said Interior Health board chair John O'Fee. "Our strategy includes specialized education for staff; dedicated resources in the form of a medical director and newly created nurse specialist roles; and the introduction of designated palliative beds, including those announced here."
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.
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