What is Palliative Care Matters?
Sooner or later, most Canadians will need palliative care for themselves or someone they love. The problem is that finding this care is not a sure thing in Canada. We don’t have a national strategy and not all Canadians can access the care they need for themselves or their loved ones.
We need to ensure that palliative care becomes part of Canada’s universal healthcare model.
That’s why Covenant Health has joined with many of Canada’s leading national health organizations and experts in palliative care and health policy to lead this initiative. The initiative is being co-chaired by Karen Macmillan, Senior Operating Officer and Executive Lead for Palliative Care, Covenant Health and Fred Horne, former Alberta health minister and health policy advisor.
Canada is at a turning point when it comes to palliative care. We need a national strategy so that everyone can access timely, quality care in the last phase of their life.
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In late 2017, the Act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in Canada was passed by Parliament with all-party support. During the spring and summer of 2018, Health Canada consulted with provincial and territorial governments, other federal departments, and national stakeholders, as well as people living with life-limiting illness, caregivers and Canadians. The findings from that consultation, as well as the requirements outlined in the Act, provided the foundation for the Framework on Palliative Care in Canada.
This Action Plan lays out Health Canada’s five-year plan to tackle issues uncovered through the development of the Framework. It aims to improve quality of life for people living with life-limiting illness, families and caregivers, and enhance access, quality of care and health care system performance. It complements current financial support to provinces and territories under the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities.
Nova Scotia Palliative Care Competency Framework outlines shared and discipline-specific competencies for health professionals and volunteers who care for people with life-limiting conditions and their families. It also describes competencies for those who specialize or have a practice focused in palliative care. The competencies are written to emphasize the interprofessional nature of palliative care and they apply to all settings of care.
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The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
