The Province has provided $123,000 for improved access to hospice palliative care in Kamloops.

“This funding will help support Kamloops residents as they near the end of their life’s journey, ensuring their dignity as well as maintaining their comfort during what can be a very emotional time for themselves and loved ones,” said Health Minister Terry Lake.   

“Palliative care provides the opportunity to spend quality time with our loved ones during the life’s later stages. The funding for improved access to hospice care will ensure that more Kamloops families can use to these services and can do so in comfort,” said Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone.

The BC Centre for Palliative Care distributed $120,000 to the Kamloops Hospice Society toward four newly designated hospice beds at Overlander Residential Care. Target completion date is February 2017.

As well, the centre, in partnership with the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association, allocated a $3,000 seed grant to the Kamloops Hospice Society to support patients and families.

Examples of seed grant projects may include workshops educating the public about advance-care planning; recruiting and training volunteers to link patients with serious illness and their families to 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 reviewed, 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.

Learn More:

To learn more about supports offered by the Province for end-of-life care, visit:
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care

To find out more about hospice palliative care in Interior Health, visit:
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourCare/PalliativeCare/Pages/default.aspx

More information on the BC Centre for Palliative Care: www.bc-cpc.ca